In excited support of the release of the fabulous new book ‘Organise Ideas’ from Oliver Caviglioli and David Goodwin, I am sharing some of the various ways I have used word diagrams in my own practice. I hope these posts will be of particular use to teachers of economics and business, but also of use and interest more widely too!
One of the most useful ideas that David and Oliver share and describe in their book is that of the difference between 'container' and 'path' concepts* in our ways of thinking about things. These ideas have been extremely helpful to me in thinking about ways in which I organise information which I want to present in my teaching.
Typically, when selecting a type of word diagram to organise information, the choice is usually binary; container organiser or path organiser. This post explores how thinking deeply about container and path concepts can occasionally lead to choice of a hybrid diagram that supports a particularly specific concept and purpose, and manages to convey both container and path ideas.
Introducing the Trade Blocs Staircase
Before introducing this diagram in the classroom I explain initially that we will be learning about different types of economic cooperation and integration between countries called ‘trade blocs’. I explain that we will be learning about four different theoretical bloc types, that we will examine these from least to most integrated and that each bloc type often retains features of the previous (less integrated) bloc.
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I would show a blank staircase-shaped structure first and then add the words, explaining verbally, and progressing step-by-step (!) upwards. I add a single-ended arrow to summarise the increasing integration and cooperation. I finish adding a double-end to the arrow and discussing the fact (as Brexit shows!) that cooperation can be reduced and partial or complete separation can occur.
Having my cake, and eating it.
I really like this design as I need to communicate both ‘container’ and ‘path’ concepts.
Not a mind map or a tree...
Students need to understand the separate features of each bloc. These could be displayed using ‘container’ ‘chunk’ organisers such as a mind map or a tree diagram, using one main branch per bloc and further lines for features. However, with overlapping features across the bloc types, there would be a lot of unnecessary repetition.
Not a Venn or a Russian doll...
Students also need to understand the distinct features of each bloc and that they typically overlap with features of other blocs. These could be displayed using a ‘container’ ‘compare’ organiser such as a Venn diagram, for example placing the different blocs in a sort of Russian doll type arrangement. However, this would not allow for any sense of progression from one bloc to another.
But a staircase of blocks...
Therefore, I chose square blocks to represent the ‘container’ content, with words and a colour for each feature, and then arranged the squares into a staircase showing that trade blocs with more integrated trading arrangements would often retain the features of less closely bound blocs.
The staircase concept and the double-ended arrow convey the ‘path’ idea that countries can move up or down to more or less integrated trading arrangements (most simply by moving up or down a step, and thus adding or taking away a feature).
(The mnemonic bonus of using blocks to teach about blocs is pure serendipity!)
Supporting writing, understanding and memory
I love using this organiser as my subsequent teaching on the topic is clearly structured and efficient.
Having used this organiser to form a shared schema, I can then teach analysis and evaluation points for each feature square, and students are then able to plan and write essays by adopting a ‘pick and mix’ approach, selecting from points relating to the relevant squares in the bloc they are writing about. This organiser helps students distinguish between questions on different types of bloc and helps them address them correctly. Their understanding and memory of the topic is ultimately more flexible and robust.
Tell me more!
If you'd like to read more about container and path concepts, and organising information more generally, David and Oliver's book contains (ooh, accidentally 'container' concept reference there!) loads more on this to help you move forward (OK, I meant the 'path' metaphor that time, sorry ;-) ). Enjoy!
*If you have not heard of these before, to understand the general idea take a look at this poster which usefully illustrates some different types of word diagrams. 'Chunk' and 'compare' type diagrams typically convey container type information, whereas 'sequence' and 'cause and effect' type diagrams typically convey path type information.
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