Graphic Organisers

Some students acquire information visually and benefit from provisions to make notes in organised schemas. Students on the autism spectrum and those with cognitive or comprehension issues appreciate having information presented in a logical and less ‘text-laden’ format.

Graphic organisers are useful tools for many reasons:

• demonstrating links between concepts
• showing cause and effects
• showing differences and similarities
• highlighting the main concept and sub-concepts which relate

There are many websites which offer graphic organisers in pdf mode. Investigation on internet websites will direct teachers to those which pertain to their own subject area.

Examples of graphic organisers include:

• KWHL (What I KNOW, What I WANT to know, HOW will I find out, What did I LEARN?). This is a very useful format for commencing a unit, revisiting throughout the topic and providing a useful format for review.
• The Pyramid: Three major headings-
  • Contrast- advantages/disadvantages
  • Reflection – why is it so?
  • Prediction – what if?
• PMI: PLUS – what has worked/ MINUS what hasn’t worked/INTERESTING what gets your attention
• MIND MAPS/CONCEPT MAPS: allows student to organise and connect ideas. Great for group brainstorming.

It is useful to remember that some students thrive on routine and structure. Such students may prefer using a similar graphic organiser for each topic studied in order to gain most benefit from the strategy.