Graphic Organizers

Graphic Organizers-General:
A written statement is explained in the form of diagrams like graphs and flow charts. This is called Graphic organizers. They are imaged representation that provides a framework for the actual idea. Students use graphic organizers to understand the concept clearly and this method helps them to retain the information.

Student Helpers:
Nowadays, students blindly mug up the concepts before exams and write it the very next day. Their scores are good but the actual result is that they forget the concepts in the coming days which are called short term memory. Hence it is of no use to them. To move the concept from short term memory to long term memory, practice is required. Such practices are given by graphic organizers. Such practices help the children to think wide and to the core, recall the information and process it efficiently.

Graphic organizers help to improve the following skills in students;

• Verbal intelligence
• Logical intelligence
• Visual intelligence
• Natural intelligence

Verbal ability is required to write a correct sentence without any grammar mistake and the intelligence to identify the sound of words and syntax of the language. Logical thinking is essential for children to handle numbers and puzzles. Children think conceptually during problem solving. Visual and natural intelligence are required to visualize, identify and distinguish things.

Types Of Graphic Organizers:
The process of visualizing concepts is arranged under three main categories which have its own sub categories and are arranged under a certain complexity. They are:

• Sequential
1. Timeline
2. Flowchart
3. Cyclical
4. Hierarchy

• Single main concepts
1. Continuum
2. Argumentation structure
3. Spider maps

• Multiple concepts
1. Venn diagram
2. Matrix

Sequential Graphic Organizers:
These types of organizers contain information that is arranged in sequence. The concepts are ordered from primitive to complex for an easier study.

Timeline representation of information follows sensual order. Flowchart type contains series of information that should be completed in order. Cyclic flow involves the system of the current step depending upon the previous steps and the first step depending upon the last step i.e. in a cyclic order. Hierarchal type of representation follows tree like structure of concepts.

Single Main Concepts:
This type of organizers involves only the main concept of the information. Hence it is very easy to follow and recall even after a long term.

The range of possible occurrences within the two extremes of the concept i.e. degree of change between the extreme levels is explained through continuum. Argumentation structure involves estimation of the concept and drawing conclusion. This helps to improve logical thinking. A spider map contains central information surrounded by related concepts. The central concept has both primary and secondary levels which are sub functioned to the accompanying information.

Multiple Concepts:
This type represents an objective with more than one concept. Multiple concept graphic organizers are complex and elaborated.

Venn diagrams play a main role in set theory of mathematics. They are used to associate two or more concepts related to one another. Each concept is indicated by a circle in Venn diagram. Matrices are arranged in rows and columns. The number of rows and columns may be 'n' numbered based on the number of concepts related to it. It is used to compare and contrast the information.

Graphic Organizers are specially designed for under improving, average students to improve their skills of memory. It is also a great benefit for the teachers to improvise their students' aptitude and lessen their work. Graphical organizers help the students to recall the lessons by specific linking. It not only widens up students' knowledge but also develop the ability of questioning.