In 1972, while studying the acquisition of science knowledge in children, J. D. Novack discovered the value of using simple, graphical representations to reinforce student learning. By creating a visual template, or scaffolding, to support the learning, knowledge acquisition improved. Over time, the variety of tools used to create this scaffolding came to be known generically as graphic organizers. Expanding use lead to increasing data that these organizers increased the speed of knowledge acquisition, depth of understanding, knowledge retention, even the application of the acquired knowledge to new contexts.
These tools don't only work wonders for students in all curricular areas, they work in management and leadership contexts as well. Without Novack's discoveries we may not have what seems to be the one universal element in all meetings: the wall-sized PostIT note. The reason it is so universal is that the graphic charting element works so well for educator knowledge acquisition, too. We use it to identify major concepts, subconcepts, contributors, and interrelationships to help understand complex systems and project how systems change will impact the whole - including areas that are sometimes not obvious at the first review.
The 5 main types of graphic organizers are:
- Star/Web
- Chart/Matrix
- Tree/Map
- Chain
- Sketch
Let's look at how two organizer types, chain and sketch, can easily be created with a technology every district already owns - word processing software. Our district happens to use Microsoft Word, but I do not know of any word processing software that does not offer a similar capability to produce this type of output (yes, including freeware).
The chain type offers us a chance to look at graphic organizers as the simplest level: sequencing.
HOW TO MAKE TEA (with sincere apologies to my English friends)
Put fresh water in cup
Put cup in microwave
Set on high power for two minutes
Take cup out of microwave and put teabag in cup
Let steep for 3 minutes
Timelining is a "step up" from a simple wordprocessed sequence list that can easily be accommodated with a word processor, it's line draw features, and a little ingenuity.
Ohio has State Standards for Education that include mapping to help with spatial awareness and other learning areas. You can also easily integrate a technology component by having students use the drawing capabilities of your district's word processor to create a neighborhood map. All programs easily create lines, squares, rectangles, circles, and ovals necessary to give at least an adequate representation for lesson plans that include basic mapping.
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3 comments:
Just a couple quick thoughts...Does your district have inspiration or kidspiration? They're from the same company and are programs made to do different types of maps...and then make them into outlines, short summaries, or export them in a number of ways. Much more flexible than using Word (which I've found to be kind of clunky in making mind webs). There is also a free website, http://bubbl.us/ that provides similar resources.
Excellent point, Adam. We do use these on a limited basis (mainly in the media center labs), although since the company offers fairly attractive site licensing pricing we may expand availability if our teachers and staff suggest it.
I also personally use Matchware's "OpenMind" software, which has mind mapping capabilities similar to those in Inspiration but, IMHO, are a little more intuitive to use. That may just be due to longer experience with the software, though, so take that with a grain of salt. I have found, though, that having mind mapping software up and running on the computer during department and other meeting really helps document brainstorming sessions so you can pursue the promising threads later.
We do the same thing in my Master's classes while doing discussions-and I'm trying to get the teachers at my school to make more use of it (this would be an easy way for a lot of them to start). Especially for some of the less techie, since students could probably just as easily keep the notes on the map.
In addition, I liked the video you have posted on fair use...here's another one that a classmate of mine helped develop at ASU West...after you get through the intro stuff the skits are really good.
http://www.west.asu.edu/aedutto/copyright_webfinal.mov
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