Author(s)

Polyxeni Manoli, Maria Papadopoulou

Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece.

The present article extends prior research on graphic organizers mainly used as a reading strategy. Graphic strategies, visual representation of information in a text, refer to different approaches to reading from the traditional, linear text representation. This study constitutes an attempt to shed light on the research evidence regarding the effectiveness of GOs on text learning and the various types of graphic organizers, which use different conventions to communicate information and are classified in various ways. As such, it highlights key concepts, the theoretical and historical foundations of graphic organizers, includes the major types of graphic organizers, summarizes research findings, recommends ways of integrating them in reading lessons, touches on the issue of strategy instruction and its effects on language learning and leaves room for further exploration.

Graphic Organizers; Reading Comprehension; Reading Strategies

Manoli, P. & Papadopoulou, M. (2012). Graphic Organizers as a Reading Strategy: Research Findings and Issues. Creative Education, 3, 348-356. doi: 10.4236/ce.2012.33055.