Mind Maps and Graphic Organisers
Students with written expression difficulties often struggle with writing structure and organising their thoughts to be put down on paper. Graphic organisers, whether they are created using a computer, in the cloud or manually on paper can assist in presenting information in an organised visual manner.
Free Mind Mapping Programs
Wisemapping is a free collaborative, web based open-source tool, great for creating visual mind maps and brainstorms. It is perfect for individual note-taking, collaborative planning, teamwork and classrooms. Export your maps to SVG, PNG, JPG and FreeMind.
ClickCharts diagram and flowchart is series of over 60 mind maps and charts. There is a free non- commercial version for home use. ClickCharts makes it easy to create a visual representation of a process, mind map or other diagram.
Paid Mind Mapping Programs
Inspiration 11 is a mind mapping software for windows and Mac. Inspiration Maps is also available on IOS and can be trialled for free.
Free Writing Scaffolds
Writing scaffolds are excellent for organising writing and learning the structures of written expression. These become particularly useful as the text types used in High school expands to be quite a complex range of texts. The following provides a selection of applications for high school and university use.
Artificial Intelligence Programs
Artificial intelligence programs such as ChatGPT can be used to scaffold assessment tasks. Care needs to be taken with the use of AI so students do not plagiarise text. Scaffolding ideas and assistance scaffolding answer to a question is permissible if the written content is a student’s.
High School Scaffolds
- Online Scaffolds by Text Type created for NSW schools
- Downloadable Writing Narrative Template
University Writing Scaffold
Other Mindmaps, Scaffolds & Organisers
Narrative worksheet templates
Mind map and graphic organiser templates
Various writing templates
Mind maps, organisers and scaffolds for writing
Hamburger Paragraph Scaffold
Writing frames with examples and pdf printables
Literacy World: Recount, report, explanation, procedure, persuasive, discussion
SPELD NSW recommends, if possible, that students with literacy or numeracy difficulties work with experienced learning support teachers and/or specialist tutors. SPELD NSW maintains a Referral Database of specialist tutors and allied health professionals. Families can contact our InfoLine for a referral to a tutor. These tutors have training and experience in learning difficulties and evidence-based literacy or numeracy instruction which enables them to provide tailored instructions that meet the complex needs of individual students.
Parents or family members can provide students intervention or additional practice of fundamental literacy or numeracy skills if access to specialist support is not available. There are a number of programs and resources that can be used by parents or family members in the home environment. They do not require specialist training and can come with explicit instructions on how to use them. We have included a number of these programs and resources on this page. Please be aware that not all programs will work for all students and no one program will cover all aspects of literacy or numeracy instruction.
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