Graphic+Organizers

//**GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS**//

__**DEFINITION**__ Graphic organizers are visual pictures of knowledge, thoughts, terms, or ideas. Graphic Organizers help students create comparisons between concepts, ideas or pieces of information. Students can create webs, charts, graphs, etc. to help them organize their data. Concept mapping, also know as mind mapping, techniques can improve learning and studying techniques up to fifteen percent.

__** PURPOSE **__ The purpose of graphic organizers is to help students orgainze their ideas in simple formats. These organizers will help students stay motivated, organized, and recall important information. It provides students another way to take notes or study for a test, instead of the traditional pencil and paper format. Many teachers use these orgainzers in their classroom already like kwl charts, storyboards, word walls, etc..; but they are unaware that there is software available for all to enjoy.

**__ADVANTAGES__**
 * Integrating technology in the classroom
 * Can be done individually or in groups
 * Contains many visual and audio traits to adapt to different learning styles
 * Students have freedom to create mutiple types of organizers ( not one basic format-thousands of them)
 * Creates student interest and student motivation
 * Improves learning and studying techniques

**__DISADVANTAGES__**
 * Most of the software available costs money
 * Some researchers believe that the computer does all the work
 * Only "key-points"or "terms" are generally noted-not always complete thoughts

Inspiration- target audience: Grade 6- adult [|www.**inspiration.com*] Kidspiration- elementary students CMAP [|CMAP] Graphic Organizer Resource Page [|graphic resource] Resources listing webpage (Eduscapes) [|eduscapes]
 * __EXAMPLES__ **