Graphic Organizers Have you ever wondered how life would be without homework, assignments, and worksheets? Initially, it sounds like a great step because it would reduce the workload students have and give them more time to encourage self-paced learning. However, not every child is capable of practicing it and has the conscience to do it.

The best way of omitting worksheets is by introducing something more useful and fun to do. The word you are looking for is a graphic organizer.

Presently, digital learning has taken off and every institution, public or private, is encouraging digital forms of learning. With teachers entering the market and learning new techniques, do use is ever increasing. It started with a simple learning management system that is now expanded its features and platforms.

But how useful is a graphic organizer, and is it the best substitution for worksheets? Let’s understand the reasons why graphic organizers are useful.

Why should we use graphic organizers?

The concept of a worksheet and a graphic organizer might be unique but some of its goals and features overlap just like any other educational tool. Moreover, there is no simple way to describe the use of any feature. For example, an LMS portal is useful for self-paced learning and learning material resourcing. How it benefits a student and how they use it entirely depends on the learning environment methodology, goal, etc.

Let’s have a look at the key defining points of a graphic organizer to understand its unique uses;

A graphic organizer gives directions

Directing children can be frustrating, especially at elementary school levels. Something as simple as turning a page can be challenging when the students will not quiet down. It’s not entirely their fault since they have a boosted metabolism and are full of energy.

When simple activities in a classroom, which otherwise sound monotonous and complex, are broken down into a creative step-by-step process, students take more initiative and participate in it. A graphic organizer can do this job and keep a track of students who are following instructions, the progress they’ve made, the questions they interact with individually, etc. Teachers can design the graphic planner or organizer and upload it on an LMS portal so every child can access it in a personalized way.

Allows students to showcase their effort

Students enjoy showcasing their hard work, and a graphic organizer makes it easy for them. By using creative thinking skills, they can approach the graphics differently. After personally appreciating, going up to the teacher, and getting praised for how good they are at using a newfound technology, teachers give them enough encouragement to keep involved in such learning activities.

More importance to the depth of knowledge

Unlike a worksheet, a graphic organizer focuses on the depth and understanding of knowledge rather than looking for keywords and specific construction of sentences only. A child who can write answers might not completely understand the concept, and a child who understands might not be good with their comprehension skills. Graphic organizers look after all-around progress.

Visual thinking procedure

If a child cannot visibly imagine an idea in their head or practically understand a concept, we would remember it for a short duration only. It is a psychological belief and proof from years of studying that the brain’s process of grouping and ungrouping concepts remote learning, which is possible mostly through visual ideas.

When students visually relate objects with one another and conceptualize and organize their thought processes they understand a topic in a step-by-step manner. Students remember more with a graphic organizer because the learning process itself stimulates the brain to visually imagine and learn.

Critical thinking skills

To develop the intellectual values of a child, they need to develop critical thinking skills. Over the years of continued practice, students are accustomed to the thought that a worksheet will help them learn. If only they can think outside the box and have the freedom to do so from a young age, they think uniquely about what they study at school, how they study, and how they achieve learning goals.

Real-time assessment

The biggest advantage of using a graphic organizer is that it automatically calculates the grades, points out the mistakes, and gives students a real-time check. Making immediately rectify mistakes and learn much more than from filling worksheets.

Have you been debating whether or not to introduce new concepts in your class? A graphic organizer is a reliable first step. Neither is it too different from a traditional worksheet nor are its goals uniquely set. Students can treat it just like a normal worksheet with added benefits.