Visual Tools for Constructing Knowledge [Paperback]

David Hyerle (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0871202662 | ISBN-13: 978-0871202666 | Publication Date: July 15, 1996

Three types of visual tools can help K-12 students and teachers construct

knowledge, organize information, and communicate their learning with others: brainstorming

webs, task-specific organizers, and thinking-process maps. This book explains WHAT visual

tools are, WHY we should use them, and HOW to get the most out of these tools.

David Hyerle provides sample lessons, assessments, and "portraits" of visual tools in action. He

emphasizes interdisciplinary and collaborative uses of such graphic organizers, as well as

technological approaches that facilitate the creation of visual tools and construction of learning

projects. He discusses the use of visual tools such as "Thinking Maps" within the framework of

constructivism as a paradigm for learning; cooperative learning; and the integration of teaching,

learning, and assessing using visual tools. The book discusses "concept mapping" and the

"feedback loops" of systems thinking, and shows how schools can foster lifelong learning among

students and teachers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 139 pages
• Publisher: Assn for Supervision & Curriculum (July 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871202662
• ISBN-13: 978-0871202666
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #947,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars more suitable for teachers/students, not business readers, October 10, 1999

By 

Lee Say Keng "KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURER/TECHNOLOGY... (Ho Chi Minh City/Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Visual Tools for Constructing Knowledge (Paperback)

This book is more suitable for teachers and students, and not so suitable for business readers.

It is a relatively good book on visual thinking - more precisely, on the subject of using graphic organisers and concept maps, which can be used to help teachers in guiding their students to shape their understanding of reading materials in schools - and at home.

However, the visual tools introduced in the book cannot be used to cover all kinds of reading materials in schools. For examples, a story grid - which is not covered in the book - would be more appropriate to shape understanding of literature texts; a time line or time series - also not overed - would be more appropriate to track chronological events in history textbooks.

For the businessman, this book can be somewhat boring, although one or two of the tools e.g. cluster and fishbone diagrams, can be used to organise visually one's thoughts or ideas while reading business books.

For bu!siness use, I would strongly recommend Terry Richley's The Marketer's Visual Toolkit (Amacom)and/or Larry Raymond's Reiventing Communication. Both titles offer a very broad range of powerful visual tools for strategic thinking, planning, communication and problem solving. There are gems for the business user.

Even Nancy Margulies' Mapping Inner Space book (which I have also reviewed) is worth exploring.

Nevertheless, this book is still worth reading, especially if you want a deep understanding of why we are 'visual'. Also, David Hyerle's tools and ideas are still useful for the business reader, especially if one is pursuing business management studies e.g. MBA, in the evenings. The visual tools can be useful in that respect, particularly for probing understanding through the text, and taking/making personal notes.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Low on content, high on hype, September 3, 2001

By 

Delia M. Turner "dmturner" (Haverford, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Visual Tools for Constructing Knowledge (Paperback)

I was disappointed in this book; much of it is devoted to making vast claims for the transformative effect of using visual representations of thought processes in education, without much in the way of concrete example. As an educational researcher, I did not perceive much in the way of intellectual rigor; as an elementary classroom teacher, I was not consoled for the lack of that rigor by much in the way of useful tools. This could have been a 15-page pamphlet.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to thinking maps, December 9, 2011

By 

Lee Matts - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Visual Tools for Constructing Knowledge (Paperback)

This book was recommended to me by a fellow teacher who participated in a schoolwide adoption and application of Dr. Hyerle's Thinking Maps program. Her students' test scores increased measurably in the year following adoption of this program and she attributed this gain to the schoolwide use of thinking maps. Based on her recommendation and enthusiasm, I purchased this book, and am currently trying to find ways to integrate the maps and concepts into the established district-approved curriculum.