Filed under: Graphic Organizers
What are Graphic Organizers?
A graphic organizer is a visual communication tool that uses visual symbols to express ideas and concepts, to convey meaning. A graphic organizer often depicts the relationships between facts, terms, and or ideas within a learning task. It is often referred to as a “map” because it can help teachers and students “map out” their ideas in a visual manner. There are many similar names for graphic organizers including: knowledge maps, concept maps, story maps, cognitive organizers, advance organizers, or concept diagrams.
The main purpose of a graphic organizer is to provide a visual aid to facilitate learning and instruction. Most graphic organizers form a powerful visual picture of information and allow the mind ‘to see’ undiscovered patterns and relationships.
Graphic organizers take many forms such as mind maps, timelines, Venn diagram, spider map, matrix, flow chart, fish bone, tree chart, and many more.
April 21, 2010
Mindmapping and Graphic Organizer Tools
- Inspiration -Inspiration Software® facilitates visual thinking and learning. The software is a great tool for teaching kids how to think, brainstorm, organize, analyze and write.
- Kidspiration - Created for K-5 learners, Kidspiration® uses visual learning to build conceptual understandings and develop critical thinking skills across the curriculum.
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Webspiration – This is the web version of Inspiration and Kidspiration. Webspiration is an online visual thinking tool that captures ideas, organizes information, diagrams processes, and creates clear, concise written documents. Diagrams or outlines can be posted to a hosted and protected area of the Webspiration web site. Share the URL with friends or colleagues or use the code provided to embed the document in a web page, blog, or wiki.
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bubbl.us – a Web 2.0 tool that enables users to create mind mapping and brainstorming diagrams online.
- LucidCharts - Create a flowchart, mind map, diagrams, and other drawings online with Lucidchart’s free flowchart software and diagram tool.
- Text 2 Mind Maps - A great way to turn your typed outlines into mind maps. Text 2 Mind Maps bridges the gap between outlines and mind maps.
- NEW Coggle - A new, collaborative mind-mapping service that is very easy to use with just signing-in with your Google account and click the “+” icon to start your mind map.You can invite others to view and edit your mind maps by sending them an email through Coggle. All Coggle mind maps can be downloaded as PDFs or PNG image files.
April 21, 2010
Timeline Tools
- Dipity – Creates interactive timelines. Upload photos, videos, and create links. Can be embedded into any web page. Has a collaboration option and has multiple options for sharing your timelines publicly or privatelyRequires email for free account.
- Xtimeline – Create timelines and explore timelines about history, biography and more. Requires email for free account.
- myHistro - Is a timeline builder and map creation tool. Each event that you place on your timeline can be geolocated using Google Maps. Requires email for free account.
- TimeGlider – Create, collaborate, and publish zooming and panning interactive timelines. Requires email for free account.
- Time Toast – Create timelines and share them on the web. A nice choice for students in elementary or middle school students as it is easy to use. Requires email for free account.
April 21, 2010
You can try out a free trial of the software at: http://www.inspiration.com/
What is Kidspiration?
Created for K-5 learners, Kidspiration® uses the proven principles of visual learning to strengthen reading and writing skills, build conceptual understanding in math, and develop thinking skills across the curriculum.
Use these examples and resources to help you start using Kidspiration with confidence and creativity.
Watch the Quick Tour – MOVIE
For examples of HOW one might use Kidspiration in Social Studies, Math, Science and Language Arts, please visit the resource page on the Inspiration website. Or SEARCh the examples and lesson plans database.
Can I use this with my SMART Board?
YES!! See the tutorial – http://www.inspiration.com/videos/Kidspiration - scroll down to the Interactive Whiteboard Support under the OVERVEIW section at the bottom.
Curriculum Applications
Scroll down to the list at the bottom of this page, http://www.inspiration.com/videos/Kidspiration and you will see a heading called Curriculum Applications. Each listing under this heading contains a quick movie that explains how to use Kidspiration across the curriculum.
April 21, 2010
What Is Inspriation?
Inspiration Software® facilitates visual thinking and learning. The software is a tool for helping students how to organize their thinking, brainstorm, analyze, and write.
The software is available on all SPS computers.
Overview Video for Inspiration: To obtain an idea of the power of Inspiration, please watch this overview and then let your learners create!
Inspiration In Teaching and Learning
Tutorials
Templates
Start with a blank canvas by selecting “Create a Diagram” from the starter screen or select “Find a Template” to see if what you are looking for has already been created.
Templates are available in Inspiration on its Starter Screen (refer to screenshot). Once in the template area, search online for more templates by selecting BROWSE at the bottom of the template screen. Please note that Inspiration must be installed to view/use these templates. 
Support
- Under the Learn to Use option, there are additional resources to help get you started.
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View
Resources to Help You Integrate Inspiration Across the Curriculum, to locate resources on the
Inspiration Website. Find lesson plan books and samples, related technologies, connections to textbooks, as well as archived webcasts and videos that provide an idea of how Inspiration can be integrated across the curriculum.
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- Suggestions for Using Inspiration in the Classroom - lists templates that can be used across the curriculum and considersations for how to use.
- To find copyright free sound files, visit TechyTeacher’s Audio Resources.
April 21, 2010
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