Credit: 1-Quarter Hours
Clock Hours: 10 Contact Hours

Course Description

We all want to help our students succeed. Graphic organizers are a powerful and easy-to-use tool for all grade levels and subject areas. Graphic organizers help students increase understanding and retention. During this brain-friendly workshop, we will explore how students learn and the importance of transferring learning from working- to long-term memory. Discover a variety of graphic organizer strategies from note taking to mind mapping. Determine how to use these tools in your teaching to increase student learning.

Course Objectives

To become familiar with how the brain learns.

To be aware of ways graphic organizers help to reinforce and strengthen student learning and retention.

To learn different graphic organizer strategies that will excite and empower learners.

To determine how to use graphic organizers within the classroom.

Student Expectations

Attend all class sessions.

Actively participate in class discussions and activities.

Complete a written assignment by designated completion date.

Level of Application

This course focuses on application and implementation levels.

Target Audience

Teachers, classroom assistants, counselors, administrators, club and activity advisors of students of all ages preschool through twelfth grade parents and community members, law enforcement officers and everyone who works with children.

Methods of Instruction

During this course, the instructors methods of instruction will include lecture, large and small group activities, brainstorming, guest lecturers, video presentations and/or participant presentations.

Grading Criteria

All participants must complete a written assignment to receive college credit. This course if offered for a letter grade. The following requirements are grading guidelines:

60% In-class activities including, but not limited to Socratic Circles, small and large group work, and presentations

15% Class participation

25% Written assignment completed outside of class

Texts and Required Learning Materials

Participants will receive required text and materials the first class session.

Plans for Transferring Skills into the Work Setting

Methods for encouraging the transfer of newly acquired skills into the work setting will include discussion and problem solving groups; reading; sharing of successful strategies in class, and practicing new skills during the workshop.

Suggested Bibliography & Video References

Participants will receive a complete bibliography, print and Internet. Additional resources will be distributed in class, as appropriate.

Assignment Options

Using the information you have learned in class, rework two of your current teaching lessons to reflect your increased knowledge of how the brain learns.

Using the information you have learned in class, create two lessons to teach concepts you currently teach.

Using the information you have learned in class, design two lessons to teach students about how their brain learns and the power of using graphic organizers.

Outline two strategies to help a student learn a skill of your choice more effectively.

Using the information you have learned in class, design a mini in-service for your peers to share information about how students brains learn.

Using the information you have learned in class, design a mini in-service for parents regarding how students learn and what they can do to help.

Create an assignment of your choosing, based on your particular job or interests. Have the instructor approve your assignment choice.