The Benefit of Graphic Organizers
"Students with attentional, organizational, and learning disabilities have shown increased academic gain when exposed to technology-supported concept mapping strategies," (Rose et. al, 2005, p. 516).
FreeMind
FreeMind
is a free mind-mapping tool that is available to be downloaded
from http://freemind.en.softonic.com/. This tool is available for PCs and
Macs and it is tested for viruses. This software claims to be virus free, safe
software. It runs on java, so it is conducive to most platforms.
FreeMind can help students organize their thoughts and annotate them. A specific aspect of this program is the annotation bar that contains many different features to add to any map. According to some user reviews, not all of these annotation tools are useful and could be distracting; however, this software is intuitive to use and simplistic in nature for students who struggle. By incorporating mind maps into instruction, students who have disorganized thoughts can write out their thoughts and help sequence their writing. FreeMind does not have a collaboration aspect, but can used effectively by individuals who need extra support in their writing and comprehension. Mind maps can be used to track conversations, for teachers and students to see their students' thought patterns, and can be very helpful when faced with any logic problem. Although this can be useful in English Language Art instruction, this tool can transcend content areas and be useful in mathematics, science, If you are interested in FreeMind and want to download it on your computer for free link on the link below: http://freemind.en.softonic.com/ |
Bubbl
(12/8/11) Retrieved from: weblinks.edublogs.org
Bubbl.us is an online concept mapping tool that allows
students to "web" their ideas together around a central topic, idea
or question. This website features a simple, easy to manipulate format where
text is entered into the "bubbl" boxes and then linked to the ideas
that came before and after each idea. Students can use this website on their
own or as a class. A "new child bubble" can be created after every
bubble for each child working on the web with the simple click of a
mouse.
This tool can help students brainstorm ideas and outline their writing: resulting in more organized thought processes in students' written work. Students who struggle with comprehension can see their thought processes. Students who struggle with organization can use this tool to see how ideas flow into one another and are connected. Students who are frequently absent can see a record of discussion, helping them to stay on top of the work they have missed as well as the overall classroom experience.
Teachers can use this tool to help with implementing literature circles by posing a question at the beginning of the web and watching as students answer. Teachers can also record discussions for their own records as well as for all students. Students can have a record of their learning and conversations, which would help students with speech processing disorders. Teachers can use bubbl.us to glean an understanding of students' comprehension before written assignments are due by checking on individual students' thoughts for relevancy, understanding, and thoughtfulness.
This tool can help students brainstorm ideas and outline their writing: resulting in more organized thought processes in students' written work. Students who struggle with comprehension can see their thought processes. Students who struggle with organization can use this tool to see how ideas flow into one another and are connected. Students who are frequently absent can see a record of discussion, helping them to stay on top of the work they have missed as well as the overall classroom experience.
Teachers can use this tool to help with implementing literature circles by posing a question at the beginning of the web and watching as students answer. Teachers can also record discussions for their own records as well as for all students. Students can have a record of their learning and conversations, which would help students with speech processing disorders. Teachers can use bubbl.us to glean an understanding of students' comprehension before written assignments are due by checking on individual students' thoughts for relevancy, understanding, and thoughtfulness.
Remember the Milk
Remember the Milk is an online tool that allows users
to manage their tasks from multiple mediums. These mediums include the
computer, phone, Google Calendar, e-mails, text messages, Skype, and instant
messaging. Not only can tasks be managed, but this tool sends reminders through
all of the previously stated mediums as well. Remember the Milk helps users
organize their tasks by providing various ways of setting up tasks. Tasks and
lists can also be shared with others, which can help students remind one
another of group project responsibilities or teachers can use this to remind
their class of upcoming due dates.
Remember the Milk is a free tool where users can sign up online; after signing up, users can set up their preferences to use the tool offline as well. The website contains an “Overview” page, which shows tasks due today, tomorrow, and tasks that are overdue. There is also a task page, which has tabs including: Inbox, Personal, Study, Work, Sent, and All Tasks with options of viewing the tasks due today, tomorrow, or those that are overdue. There are “Complete” and “Postpone” buttons to choose from to help with organization. Remember the Milk also contains a “Key” on each page which informs the user of how their page is organized; priorities are various numbers and color, due dates are bolded, and overdue tasks are underlined. Here is a link that shows the new app for the Android phone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fm06fmhQbvQ. This is only one of the other mediums that Remember the Milk can be used on. Having this tool on an instructor’s phone can be beneficial for classrooms without a computer.
Teachers can use Remember the Milk with clubs, homework, tests, quizzes, dates, and meetings. Some teachers have created interesting ways to implement this technology. One of the ways to use this software is to make a time-line. Students can make a time line based on literature they have read in class or on current events, they are learning about. Another implementation for this program is to have the students organize due dates for their writing projects. By using Remember the Milk students will be able to turn their lessons in on time. This is a link to the organize due date lesson to provide further instructions on how to implement this technology: https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/download/attachments/4293031/RTMElementary1.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1257108144000
Remember the Milk is a free tool where users can sign up online; after signing up, users can set up their preferences to use the tool offline as well. The website contains an “Overview” page, which shows tasks due today, tomorrow, and tasks that are overdue. There is also a task page, which has tabs including: Inbox, Personal, Study, Work, Sent, and All Tasks with options of viewing the tasks due today, tomorrow, or those that are overdue. There are “Complete” and “Postpone” buttons to choose from to help with organization. Remember the Milk also contains a “Key” on each page which informs the user of how their page is organized; priorities are various numbers and color, due dates are bolded, and overdue tasks are underlined. Here is a link that shows the new app for the Android phone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fm06fmhQbvQ. This is only one of the other mediums that Remember the Milk can be used on. Having this tool on an instructor’s phone can be beneficial for classrooms without a computer.
Teachers can use Remember the Milk with clubs, homework, tests, quizzes, dates, and meetings. Some teachers have created interesting ways to implement this technology. One of the ways to use this software is to make a time-line. Students can make a time line based on literature they have read in class or on current events, they are learning about. Another implementation for this program is to have the students organize due dates for their writing projects. By using Remember the Milk students will be able to turn their lessons in on time. This is a link to the organize due date lesson to provide further instructions on how to implement this technology: https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/download/attachments/4293031/RTMElementary1.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1257108144000
Kidspiration
Kidspiration is a way for students to visually learn and
build their ideas, words, concepts with association to images. The connection
of ideas to images allows students to better organize and analyze information
and think critically through graphic organizers, outlines, and diagrams.
Graphic organizers are a visual way to demonstrate relationships between facts,
concepts, and ideas for students who have trouble with comprehension; this in
turn will help them organize ideas for writing projects. Kidspiration is
a beneficial tool for teachers to show cause and effect, note taking,
organization, themes and ideas, vocabulary, and sequencing. The homepage allows
students to choose to create their new document in a picture view, writing
view, or math view. There are also a variety of activities the student can
choose from including reading and writing, math, science, and social studies.
Not only are there images to go along with the text on the homepage, but it is
also read aloud. Once a new document is opened, the student can access various
features such as a symbol maker and pre-made symbols to give their text
imagery. A word guide allows the user to type in a word which will provide a definition
and synonyms and antonyms. Users have the option of changing the way the
concept maps are portrayed, by altering the box size and shape as well as the
text size and font. Recordings are also available to include in a concept map. All of these features help promote Cast's UDL key components of having alternate means of presentation and representation to accommodate all learners in the classroom.
The following link goes through a step by step process in how Kidspiration can be used to create a concept map to help students organize ideas. A 30-day free trial can be downloaded or the product can be bought from anywhere between $69 (single use) to $895 (20-computer license). http://www.inspiration.com/Curriculum-Integration/Kidspiration
Kidspiration can help teachers to create a number lessons. This website walks teachers through the various activities they can include in their classroom in order to help students achieve knowledge and understanding: http://www.coweta.k12.ga.us/cweb/Kidspiration/KidActivities.htm. The website provides teachers with lesson ideas such as a lesson on seasons. The students are able to match images of objects to either summer or winter in order to learn about seasons. The website provides a huge list of activities that can be used in the classroom through Kidspiration.
The following link goes through a step by step process in how Kidspiration can be used to create a concept map to help students organize ideas. A 30-day free trial can be downloaded or the product can be bought from anywhere between $69 (single use) to $895 (20-computer license). http://www.inspiration.com/Curriculum-Integration/Kidspiration
Kidspiration can help teachers to create a number lessons. This website walks teachers through the various activities they can include in their classroom in order to help students achieve knowledge and understanding: http://www.coweta.k12.ga.us/cweb/Kidspiration/KidActivities.htm. The website provides teachers with lesson ideas such as a lesson on seasons. The students are able to match images of objects to either summer or winter in order to learn about seasons. The website provides a huge list of activities that can be used in the classroom through Kidspiration.