Online Learning Modules

Content Area Literacy

Graphic Organizers

Objectives

When you have finished this module you should be able to do the following:

  1. Define the term “graphic organizer”
  2. Identify several free and commercial technology-based (i.e., software programs or web-based utilities) graphic organizers
  3. Explain why/how having students create graphic organizers is beneficial for all students, including students with disabilities
  4. Explain how teacher-created graphic organizers benefit students.
  5. Locate, download, install, and use technology-based graphic organizers

Introduction

By working with the materials in this module you should be able to meet the objectives specified above. The information presented in this module will be more meaningful to you if you work through the activities in the order in which they are presented (i.e., read the Introduction, view the video clips, complete the readings, and finally explore the technology resources).

Teachertube.com (http://www.teachertube.com) is a source for a wide variety of education related video clips.  Registration is required in order to view videos, but registration is free. Two of the video clips identified in this module are available through teachertube.com. After you register, you can find both videos by entering “graphic organizer” in the search box. Inspiration Software with Math Instruction and ReadWriteThink Webbing Tool will come up in the search results.

Screen Capture -  Print Scrn, open Word, Paint, PowerPoint or other program into which you can paste images. Execute the paste (Ctrl+V) command and the image should appear in the program you selected.  If you are in Word or PowerPoint you can edit the image using the Picture toolbar. If the Picture toolbar does not appear when you click on the picture, go to the View menu, select Toolbars, then select Picture.

You may want to a screen capture when working with online graphic organizers if you cannot save your work. The screen capture will enable you to display an image on the computer of the graphic organizer you developed.

Video Clips

1. Web 2.0 Graphic Organizers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?emb=0&aq=0&v=r9n7pjzYcNo&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3Dgraphic+organizers&oq=graphic+orga) is an entertaining video clip that in 3:25 minutes can help you meet objectives 1, 2, and 3. Be sure to watch the credits too for an added bit of humor.

2.  Inspiration Software with Math Instruction (http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c49e5a833517c45d3107) is a 2.37 minute video that demonstrates how teacher-created graphic organizers can help students understand math concepts. Although this focuses on math, the basic ideas are applicable to other content areas. Viewing this video will help you meet objectives 2 & 4. If the direct link does not work you will need to go in though www.teachertube.com (see above).

Readings

1.  Q&A: What’s the Big Deal with Graphic Organizers? (http://www.graphicorganizers.com/Sara/ArticlesAbout/Q&A%20Graphic%20Organizers.pdf) answers many questions that teachers may have about the use of graphic organizers. Reading this article will help you to meet objectives 1, 3, and 4.

2.  Graphic Organizers: A Review of Scientifically Based Research (http://www.inspiration.com/download/pdf/SBR_summary.pdf) is a summary of the findings from a review of the research on graphic organizers. The full report (44 pages) is available by sending a request to send a request to research@inspiration.com. Reading this article will help you meet objectives 2 and 3.

3.  Math Graphic Organizers for Students with Disabilities (http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/documents/MathGraphicOrg.pdf ) provides examples focused on math, but most of the information presented is equally valuable to teachers in other content areas. Reading this article will help you meet objectives 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Technology Resources  

Graphic organizers: Commercial software, freeware, and web-based

1.  Commercial Software

  • Inspiration (http://www.inspiration.com) is used widely in K-12 education as well as in higher education. One of the most unique features of Inspiration is that it can automatically convert graphic organizers into text-based outline form, which is helpful if an essay or report is going to be developed subsequently. A broad array of resources are available at the Inspiration web site, including a 30-day downloadable demonstration version. Training resources, including video Quick Tours  and Quick Start Tutorials, are available at http://www.inspiration.com/prodev/index.cfm?fuseaction=training.

Enter the search terms Inspiration templates into a search engine such as Google and you will find a wealth of templates available to use as is or to modify to match your curriculum. The following web-sites are illustrative of available resources:

http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/teacher_resources/inspiration_templates/

http://www.techteachers.com/inspirationtemplate.htm

Using these resources will help you meet objectives 2 and 5.

  • Claro Mindfull (http://www.clarosoftware.com) It contains many of the same stellar features as Inspiration, including the graphic organizer to outline view. A 15-day demonstration version of Claro Mindfull is available from the Downloads page of the company’s web site.

2.  Freeware

  • IHMC CmapTools (http://cmap.ihmc.us/) can be downloaded and installed on as many computers as you would like. Teachers are encouraged to download IHMC CmapTools, make copies, and install it on computers both at home and at school.

3.  Online graphic organizers

  • Bubbl.us (http://www.bubbl.us/) allows users to print, email, or save graphic organizers as an image. Clicking on the Start Brainstorming button will enable you to experiment with Bubbl.us, but in order to save work, you must first register for a free Bubbl.us account.

When you move the mouse pointer over the Start Here bubble, small icons will appear. As you move the pointer over each icon, its function is explained in the Help window at the bottom right-hand side of the screen. If you keep the mouse pointer on the icon, an explanation of its function will also appear in a bubble next to the pointer; however, the explanation in the Help window may provide more comprehensive information.

If you click on the words “Start Here” you will be able to enter your own text. When you create a new bubble, there is an insertion cursor in the middle of the bubble so you can begin adding text immediately. If you click on the background the cursor will disappear and there will be no text on the bubble. Clicking on the middle of the bubble where the cursor had been will bring it back so you can add text.

All icon/options are available for all bubbles. However, when a new bubble is created it is too small to display all the icons. Once you have added even a small bit of text you will be able to see all the icons.

Working with Bubbl.us will help you meet objective 5.

Watch ReadWriteThink Webbing Tool, a  3:09 minute video clip to learn how to use the Read Write Think Webbing Tool. (http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=61f9f3cd816418d376ff ) If the direct link does not work you will need to go in though www.teachertube.com (see above). Viewing this video clip will help you meet objective 5.

4.  Using Microsoft Office is widely available in school districts making the use of Word and Excel cost-free options for creating graphic organizers.

  • Creating graphic organizers with Microsoft Office Word. Step-by-step directions for creating graphic organizers with Word can be found at http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/techtorial/techtorial095.shtml. Please note that both the online and printable techtorials show the Drawing toolbar in a vertical arrangement. On your computer the Drawing toolbar may be in a horizontal arrangement. Often the Drawing toolbar is already showing and can be found at the bottom of the Word window. Following the steps in the techtorial can help you to meet objectives 2 and 5.
  • Creating graphic organizers with Microsoft Office Excel. The tutorial at http://www.internet4classrooms.com/excel_concept_map.htm provides step-by-step directions for using Excel to create graphic organizers; you do notExcel user. Following the steps in the tutorial can help you to meet objectives 2 and 5. need to be an accomplished

5. Read the information provided at http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic73.htm and explore some of the resources provided. Because the web is a dynamic environment, some of the links on this web page are no longer working, but most of them are, and they are worth exploring. Reading the information provided on this page will help you meet objectives 1,  2, 3, 4, and 5.