Other Types of Graphic Organisers

Concept map

Concept maps show relationships between ideas or concepts. Concept maps can be used to identify students' prior knowledge and understanding, to summarise concepts and to organise information. Beginning with the central idea or theme in a middle box students then consider four to five components or sub ideas to this theme. Teachers could ask students to concept map a story they are writing. The central box contains the title of the story and then each of the outlying boxes could comprise components such as characters, plot, beginning, middle, climax. From each of these outlying squares students make brief notes about what will happen in their story.

Mind map

Mind maps are completed on plain paper and visually record students' thinking. Information may be recorded on the map as words or as images. A mind map has a central image which depicts the topic or issue being mapped. From the centre a series of coloured stems emerge which reflect the components of the topic. Beginning with a stem, students draw a series of branches which show the interrelationship and connections between the ideas. Mind mapping can also be a highly reflective revision tool to evaluate the depth of students understanding in a topic or concept and their ability to make connections between ideas.

More information on mind mapping can be found at:
How to do a Mind Map (www.jcu.edu.au/office/tld/learningskills/mindmap/howto.html)
Buzan Centres - Mind Mapping (www.buzan.com.au//learning/mind_mapping.html)
Inspiration Software, Inc. (www.inspiration.com)

Venn diagram

Venn diagrams help make comparisons. Similarities are shown in the overlapping area and differences are shown in the areas that do not overlap. For example, diagrams A and B below.

Issues map

An issues map can help identify the different dimensions or perspectives that relate to a particular event or topic of concern. It is often helpful to have issues phrased as questions as these can be answered differently depending on the point of view held by those who suggest an answer. The responses can then be categorised as positive or negative.

Flow diagram

Flow diagrams sequence ideas, procedures or events. They can be used for preliminary planning or, with appropriate annotations, they can represent a timeline or final action plan.

Storyboarding

Storyboards show pictorially the sequence of ideas, procedures or events. These are similar to flow diagrams but are pictorial rather than text-based and provide students who are visual learners with ways to demonstrate their ideas visually rather than in print.

Gantt chart

A gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart which provides students with an illustration of a schedule to assist with planning, coordination of, and tracking specific tasks in a project.

On the horizontal axis the total time of the task or activity is placed using either days, weeks or months to show duration. The vertical axis outlines the tasks to be completed in that time.

Cause and effect wheel

A cause and effect wheel is also known as concentric circles. This organiser assists students in understanding the relationships between cause and effect, action and reaction.

Students begin the process by drawing a circle on a large sheet of paper and writing in the issue to be explored. They proceed by making further circles building on the original cause in the middle. Each of these circles focuses on exploring the effects in greater detail. Students may also consider relationships between ideas not directly connected or reflect on what might happen if the links were reversed.

Affinity diagram

The Affinity diagram is designed for groups of students to collect data and to sort it in a short period of time by looking for similarities and relationships.

PMI

The pluses, minuses and interesting (PMI) tool can be used to assist students in evaluating and unpacking the details of a product, piece of writing, text or issue. This tool encourages students to look at all sides of the topic and recognise the strengths and weaknesses rather then focusing on their immediate emotional reaction. This organiser also assists students to evaluate their own work, the work of others and reflect on their progress and learning.

Students sort data into logical categories based on their relationship. Teachers may choose to collect the data on sticky notes as a brainstorming exercise. The teacher acts as facilitator and groups the data to show the relationship between the issue and the category.

K-W-L-H

The K-W-L-H organiser provides students with a framework to explore their prior knowledge on a topic and consider what they would like to know and learn. This organiser can be used as an individual or group strategy but is most effective when students are given the opportunity to reflect individually before sharing with others.

K – Stands for helping students recall what they KNOW about the subject.

W – Stands for helping students determine what they WANT to learn.

L – Stands for helping students identify and reflect upon what they have LEARNT at the end of a topic or activity.

H – Stands for HOW did we learn it and aids metacognition by assisting students to reflect upon what they have learnt and how they have learnt it.

T Chart

This organiser is called a T chart as it looks like the letter T. Across the top students write their topic and then either side of the organiser can represent opposing sides such as opinions and facts. The nature of the sides is determined by the teachers and students depending on the type of thinking to be undertaken, for example, critical, analytical, creative etc.

Spider Map

The Spider Map can be used as a planning or brainstorming tool. Students place the central theme or idea in the middle circle and then list a main idea along one of the spider's legs. This idea is then further teased out in the section at the end of the appropriate leg.

Force Field Analysis

Force Field Analysis looks at all of the forces for and against a decision by looking at the pros and cons. By undertaking this process students strengthen the areas supporting their project and reduce the possible impact of opposition to it.

SWOT Analysis

SWOT Analysis is a tool for auditing issues, work, products or processes and assists students to focus on key issues and make informed decisions.

Students explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats using a template such as the one above. By looking at the pros and cons of a topic, students are required to consider the whole picture and not to narrow in on their immediate reactions and emotions.

Deployment flowcharts

Deployment flowcharts are used to outline the steps in a process and to show which person or group is involved in each step. This organiser can be used when students are planning a project to outline the different components, individuals and groups involved.