Smaaz’s Blog

Graphic Organizers Serve to Visually Organize Data

November 14th, 2007

Graphic organizers serve to visually organize data. There are several approaches and techniques described at graphic.org.

For example, the project approach is a superb way to cultivate a number of skills like organization, complex information handling and creativity through expression.

As students are taught to first write or sketch the central subject and then protract connected nodes or cells of information outward, it’s important to make sure that they go from broad to specific information as they advance into the map. As with all of the visual representation methods, images should be encouraged along with different-colored cells for different levels of information (as seen in the illustration).

Critical questions with the project approach include:
- Which areas or features of the concept are you looking to immediately explore?
- How many different associations can you think of relating to each feature that you have descried?

Another example: A research cycle concept map is very useful in researching a specific topic by visually representing associated critical questions and uncertainties. This makes it easier for students to probe the subject in depth.

When primary criteria or queries relating to the principal subject are drawn out (as in the illustration), students can then explore each of these thoroughly and answer them separately. When making their own maps, students need to be reminded that the question nodes, branching out of the criteria, are to be kept short, concise and targeted.

Critical questions to ask when making these maps include:
- What are the most important criteria or divisions you want to explore?
- What are the different problems or questions that arise from these divisions?
- Do any of these questions further branch off into other, more specific queries?

Entry Filed under: General