Overview

• A graphic organizer is a visual tool that helps organize and represent information, ideas, or concepts (e.g. diagrams, charts and other visual aids).

• Though graphic organizers can be created and used without the aid of  computer based technology, graphic organizing software may be easier to use and also allows for other assistive technology to be used with it (i.e. word prediction to help with spelling).

• This could help someone with deficits in executive functioning skills with brainstorming, prewriting, organizsing ideas and managing information.

To see Graphic Organizers in action, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o78s8eJjkBY

Research

Ciullo & Reutebuch, 2013

• Reviewed 12 studies on the use of technology-based graphic organizers for students with learning disabilities in grades K-12, focusing on academic outcomes such as social studies knowledge, written expression, and reading comprehension.

• Found significant improvements in social studies content knowledge when using computer-based graphic organisers with less clear results regarding written expression, and reading comprehension. There was no evidence that computer-based graphic organizers are effective without explicit instruction and guided practice and successful interventions often included these instructional strategies.

Gonzalez-Ledo et al., 2015

• Examined the effects of computer-based graphic organizers compared to paper/pencil planning on narrative writing in elementary students with specific learning disabilities in a sample of 4 male students.

• Found significant increases in total words written, planning time, and use of story elements when using computer-based graphic organizers compared to paper/pencil planning, but no improvement in overall organization.

Lorenz, Green & Brown, 2009

• Examined the quantity and organizsation of writing, and the number of ideas generated during the prewriting stage using either traditional pencil-and-paper or multimedia graphic organizer software in a sample of 24 second-grade students, with varying reading levels.

• Study found that the use of multimedia graphic organizer software helped improve the organization and quantity of writing for certain groups of students, particularly those with mid-range reading abilities. However, the overall results were mixed, and the benefits varied based on gender and reading level.

Evmenova et al., 2015

• Examined the effects of a computer-based graphic organizer (CBGO) on persuasive essay writing in middle school students with with high-incidence disabilities, including learning disabilities (LD), emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by measuring word count, sentences, transition words, essay parts, and overall quality in 10 participants.

• Study found improvements in writing quality for all participants and increased writing quantity for most students when using the CBGO compared to writing without it. Most students maintained improved performance in the absence of the CBGO and expressed increased confidence in writing.

Sheriff & Boon, 2014

• Examined the effects of computer-based graphic organizers on solving one-step word problems for middle school students with mild intellectual disability in a sample of three participants.

• Found that all three students significantly improved their problem-solving performance in the word problems as compared to baseline and reported preference for using the computer-based graphic organizers compared to traditional paper-and-pencil methods. Students maintained their improved performance after the intervention ended.

Research Quick Facts

Advantages

• Effective in increasing student performance on a variety of task types and student confidence (Evmenova et al., 2015).

• Can be either low- or high-tech (e.g., paper versus an app or computer program)

• Can be tailored to the specific needs of individual students

Disadvantages

• Training may be time consuming

To Consider

• Students will require training on how to use the program/graphic organizer effectively (Ciullo & Reutebuch, 2013). Research dictates that students will require more than 7 training sessions in order to use graphic organizers effectively (Alvermann & Boothby, 1986).

• There is no "one size fits all" graphic organizer; students will have to be provided with or create graphic organizers with specific goals in mind.

Insights from Practice

Reading

Graphic organizers can be useful after activating prior knowledge to organize similar ideas into groups and then label the groups to help note how they are connected. Students should then be encouraged to elaborate on these initial points.

Writing

Helpful to assist students to organize their ideas, identify spots for further elaboration, and promote organizational writing strategies. Graphic organizer technologies are helpful for implementing other graphic organizer strategies. Some of these softwards (e.g. Mindomo) will convert the visual diagram to a text outlines, which can assist converting your planning into into written text.