Thinking can be expressed in many ways - including visually using graphic representations of information. Graphic organizers can help students organize their thinking and can help instructors "see" what their students are thinking and understanding - or not understanding.
Graphic organizers can help in brainstorming, collecting or organizing data, increasing understanding, reinforcing comprehension, analyzing and interpreting information and planning projects. Graphic organizers can be used to show sequences and time lines, compare and contrast, character/story organization, cause and effect, concepts and processes, hierachical relationships and more.