The skinny on concept mapping:
Students create meaning from information when it is presented visually. Concept mapping provides an excellent method for capturing information visually because it makes the concept map maker develop relationships between the concepts or information learned. One method of concept mapping requires mappers to show relationships between concepts are shown with connecting lines labeled with words or “linking phrases.”
According to Novak and Canas, concept mapping helps reduce “cognitive load” or the condition of being overloaded with information as a novice. Learning is facilitated by language and making connections between concepts. Novak and Canas also believe that concept mapping provides a “scaffold” to help organize and structure concepts. Some teachers also use concept maps as advanced organizers to provide a visual map of what students will learn.
Naturally, concept maps can be used to assess knowledge and comprehension. Teachers can determine whether a student understands categorization of objects and concepts. Students can relate their understanding of relationships between concepts. They can also be used to demonstrate understanding of cause and effect.
Examples of concept mapping in classroom application:
Teachers have been using concept maps in their classrooms for some time. A quick search on the web revealed a few interesting applications:
| Understanding Algebraic Concepts: A group of students build concept maps using Post It™ notes to map out their understanding of the concept of a function. Using the Post It™ notes allowed the students to change the organization and relationships between the concepts as they learned more through the course of the class. | |
| Teaching Language: A group of English as a Second Language students developed word relationship maps mapping and categorizing new vocabulary words. | |
| Using Handheld Devices to Develop Concept Maps: In Biology class a group of students who were already skilled at developing concept maps for categorizing species, used donated Palm™ handheld devices and a software called PiCoMap™ to map out their understanding of the classifications of worms, mollusks and simple invertebrates. |
Electronic Concept Mapping Tools:
Students can easily draw concept maps using pen and paper or by using a blackboard or whiteboard; however, there are various software tools that can be used to develop concept maps. Two popular tools include Cmap Tools and FreeMind (see the end of this post for links to software downloads of these programs). Both of these tools are free and easy to install. Both tools also allow users to color code and even label their concept map items.
This example of a concept map was made using the FreeMind tool.
For developing quick and easy to manipulate maps on the fly, PowerPoint is an easy to use option. The example above titled “Concept Maps” was created using this method.
You can use the graphic bubbles in the illustration tool bar to list your ideas on a slide and then organize, connect and color them later. This method of mapping is particularly helpful if you are brainstorming with colleagues in a virtual meeting. One group member can list each idea on the slide and then work with others in the group to arrange them or group members can take turns adding the ideas.
Visual image of the PowerPoint application with location of drawing tool bar indicated. Click on the image to view a larger version.
Resources:
Free Concept Mapping Software:
- Cmap Tools (free):
- FreeMind (free):
- PiCoMap (45 day free trial):
- PicoMap manual for Palm™ handheld device
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