Concept Mapping in the Classroom

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Concept Mapping in the Classroom

• David W. Dillard
• M.A.I.N. ITV Consortium

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Objectives

• Definition
• Purpose/Use in the classroom
• Basic Concepts
• Types of Graphic Organizers
• The process
• An example
• Tips and Suggestions
• Software and resources

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Terms

• Visual Organizers
• Mapping
• Graphic Organizers
• Webbing
• Concept Mapping

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What is visual learning?

• Learning to think. Learning to learn. These are
  the essential skills for student success.
  Research in both educational theory and cognitive
  psychology tells us that visual learning is among
  the very best methods for teaching students of
  all ages how to think, and how to learn.

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What is visual learning?

• Visual learning techniques - graphical ways of
  working with ideas and presenting information -
  teach students to clarify their thinking, and to
  process, organize and prioritize new information.
  Visual diagrams reveal patterns,
  interrelationships and interdependencies. They
  also stimulate creative thinking.

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Definition

• Concept mapping is a type of structured
  conceptualization which can be used by groups to
  develop a conceptual framework which can guide
  evaluation or planning. (Trochim, 2003)

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Definition

• Concept mapping is a technique that allows you to
  understand the relationships between ideas by
  creating a visual map of the connections.

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Definition

• Concept maps offer a method to represent
  information visually. There are a variety of
  such maps. Concept maps harness the power of
  our vision to understand complex information
  "at-a-glance." The primary function of the brain
  is to interpret incoming information to make
  meaning. It is easier for the brain to make
  meaning when information is presented in visual
  formats. This is why a picture is worth a
  thousand words.

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Sample
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Visual learning techniques help students

• Clarify thinking. Students see how ideas are
  connected and realize how information can be
  grouped or organized. With visual learning, new
  concepts are more thoroughly and easily
  understood.
• Reinforce understanding. Students recreate, in
  their own words, what they've learned. This helps
  them absorb and internalize new information,
  giving them ownership of their ideas.

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Visual learning techniques help students

• Integrate new knowledge. Diagrams updated
  throughout a lesson prompt students to build upon
  prior knowledge and internalize new information.
  By reviewing diagrams created previously,
  students see how facts and ideas fit together.
• Identify misconceptions. Just as a concept map or
  web shows what students know, misdirected links
  or wrong connections reveal what they don't
  understand.

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Formats for Class Activities

• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Projects
• Writing
• Investigative Learning

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Types of Graphic Organizers

• Webbing
• Concept mapping
• Matrix
• Venn Diagrams
• Comparison
• Matrix
• Flow Chart

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Uses in the Classroom

• Develop an understanding of a body of knowledge
• Explore new information and relationships
• Access prior knowledge
• Gather new knowledge and information
• Share knowledge and information generated
• Design structures or processes Writing, web
  pages, presentations, constructions

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Uses in the Classroom

• Practical applications in your courses
• Handy way to take notes during lecture.
• Excellent aids to group brainstorming.
• Planning your studies and career.
• Providing graphics for your presentations and
  term papers
• A way to outline your term papers and
  presentations.
• Refine your creative and critical thinking.

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Six Step Process

• Preparation (define the problem)
• Generation of statements
• Structuring of statements
• Representation of statements in the form of a map
• Interpretation of maps
• Utilization of maps

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Tips Prior to Starting the Concept Map

• Gather the materials to create your map (paper
  pencil) or computer software
• Have research materials (do research prior to
  making map)
• Select one concept map format
• Making first map focus on the central question

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Tips for Actual Construction

• Map Making
• Shapes (different shapes for different types of
  information)
• Colors
• For effect
• For differentiation (old-new, fact-thought)
• Arrows
• Words - links
• Titles

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Tips for Actual Construction

• Dont worry about organization during initial
  construction
• Spelling and style do not count
• Free-association of ideas
• Keep ideas simple
• Write or sketch in any order
• Develop all ideas

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Tips Finished Product

• Revise your map good maps are like good writing
  several drafts
• Revise often
• Remove concepts/ideas that do not belong
• Now spelling counts
• Clear
• Neatness
• Logical
• Attractive

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http//www.inspiration.com/home.cfm
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http//www.inspiration.com/prodev/index.cfm?fuseac
tioninsprec
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http//www.inspiration.com/standards/state_detail.
cfm?fuseactionMissouri
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Missouri State Standards
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http//teachers.teach-nology.com/web_tools/graphic
_org/
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http//teachers.teach-nology.com/web_tools/graphic
_org/
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http//graphic.org/
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Hands-on Activities
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Factual Information

• Missouri The State and its Resources

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Problem Solving

• How do we raise MAP scores?