Digital Graphic Organizers

     As an ELA teacher, I find myself using a lot of graphic organizers. Often times they are included in the curriculum and I also make my own. When I am tasked with making my own GOs, I use Google Docs to create digital versions. For this reason, the assignment using Google Draw made a lot of sense to me. I have also used Canva and Google Slides to create GOs. Interestingly, I prefer to make GOs with a paper and pencil. It seems like digital tools would be easier, however, I find the opposite. I run into issues especially when using Canva. I cannot get the shapes, lines, and text in the GO in the position I would like them in. I find it very frustrating, especially when I am on a time crunch (like, if my lesson plans are late 😬). When using paper and pencil, I find it easier to get things the way that I like them and in the position they need to be.

    I often use paper and pencil to create GOs in order to teach students how to create their own. When modeling writing on lined paper, I prefer to use the same type of sheet students are using. In doing this, it is very clear what they are supposed to do and where they are supposed to draw boxes and write text. Another issue I often run into is that my school runs out of copy paper. The district often falls behind with paper orders, which leads to a paper shortages. For this reason, I often have students complete assignments on lined paper. 

    Going along with that, I might use digital GOs when there is a paper shortage. I often have to switch to digital assignments when we have paper shortage. When engaging with the writing process, I often have students make GOs to brainstorm and plan their writing. In the case that assignments have to be online, I would use online GOs. I would also use this for standardized test preparation. In Indiana, the ILEARN test has tools for taking notes and writing essays online. Students are expected to use these rather than paper and pencil GOs and essays. In order to prepare students for this test, I would ensure to include online GO tools.

    The concern with online GOs is the same concern I have with other online reading/writing tools. It deprives students from the opportunity of learning to write and draw their own GO. It is important to be mindful when deciding which type of GO to use. For example, I would definitely use a paper and pencil GO first before having students make them online. In this way, they know what the GO is supposed to look like before having to recreate it online.

Comments

  1. Cristin BobeeJanuary 31, 2025 at 2:25 PM


    Anna,
    I liked the Google draw and I forgot to mention that in my blog post. I think that was the easiest one of all those listed. I agree that using paper and pencil to create graphic organizers is so much better that just doing everything online. There is something to be said for teaching them how to make GO on paper before using an online too.

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  2. Anna PlotkowskiJanuary 31, 2025 at 5:15 PM

    Anna,
    I relate to your idea about struggling to use digital GOs. I found myself having challenges getting the connections to flow the way I wanted them to. I also found Google Draw to be simpler than some of the other sites I tried (Popplet). It helps that I am very familiar with Google products like Slides, Docs, and Classroom. I think my students would feel this way too. It provided some comfort as a familiar system!

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  3. Rachel MurawskiFebruary 4, 2025 at 5:18 PM

    Hi Anna,
    I like your honest assessment of using digital graphic organizers. Sometimes I think I am just old and like to do things on paper, but I also find that often my students get more out of things by using paper and pencil. I like how you pointed out that they need the skill of making a graphic organizer first before being able to make it digital. That makes a lot of sense. I know my students can get bogged down trying to make their work "pretty" when they use devices such as changing the font, colors, backgrounds, adding clipart, etc. It usually takes away from the actual content or skill I want them to learn. Google Draw was quite easy to use. I also liked Canva and feel like most of my students could navigate it easily. Thank you for your insights!

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