Using Concept Mapping to Strengthen Students Analytic Skills

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Using Concept Mapping to Strengthen Students
Analytic Skills

• Best Practices Conference
• May 19, 2003
• Linda Ehley Leona Truchan

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Goal of Session

• Become aware of the value of visual tools in
  analytical skill development
• Practice creating a concept map
• Introduce Inspiration as vehicle to simplify
  creating visual tools

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Audience Background

• Who has used concept mapping as a vehicle for
  learning?
• Who has used any software for concept mapping?

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Historical Development of Concept Mapping

• Four broad basic patterns of knowledge
  organization
• Hierarchical - main concept with sub-concepts
  underneath
• Conceptual - central ideas with supportive facts,
  characteristics
• Sequential- arranging events in chorological
  order (cause/effect, process/product,
  problem/solution)
• Cyclical - series of events within a process in a
  circular formation

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Visual Tools For Constructing Knowledge

• Graphic organizers i.e. -Conceptual mapping
• Benefits of Visuals Tools
• Focuses attention on key elements
• Helps integrates prior knowledge with new
  knowledge
• Enhances concept development
• Enriches reading, writing and thinking
• Aides writing by supporting, planning revising
• Serves as assessment and evaluation tool

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Pedagogical Reasons

• Vehicle to enhance analytical reading
• Helps student identify major and minor concepts
• Writing on links helps student see relationships
  between concepts

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Pedagogical Reasons (cont.)

• Fosters lateral thinking and creates visual
  representation of connections
• Last Days of Wonder Drugs

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Pedagogical Reasons (cont.)

• Alternative way to organize information
• Alternative View

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Pedagogical Reasons (cont.)

• Allows for Individual learning styles
• High Content
• Writing For the Web

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Inspiration Software

• Current version 7.0
• Several different versions and types
• Kidspiration - version for children
• Versions out there - 2 to 7

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Overview of Inspiration

• Program works on both platforms
• Terminology
• Symbol - concepts
• Links - connections between concepts
  clarification or examples
• Relationships - linear or lateral
• Directions for using Inspiration (handout)

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Task for Participants

• Read article
• SARS - Newsweek May 5, 2003
• Use Inspiration to create a concept map of the
  article
• Share with your neighbor

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References

• Bromley, K., Irwin-De Vitis, L., and M. Modlo.
  (1995). Graphic Organizer Visual Strategies for
  Active Learning, Scholastic Professional Books,
  Scholastic Inc., New York.
• Hyerle, David, (1996). Visual Tools for
  Constructing Knowledge, Association for
  Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
• Novak, J.D., and B. D. Gowin. (1984) Learning How
  to Learn. Cambridge, EnglandCambridge University
  Press.
• http//www.inspiration.com -- Visual Learning
• http//www.ettc.net/techfellow/inspiration.htm
  -- The Virtual Institute
• http//www.graphic.org --The graphic Organizer
• http//ericit.org/digests/EDO-IR-1977-05.shtml
  Clearing House on Information and Technology

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Questions/Comments?
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Hierarchical
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Conceptual
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Sequential
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Cyclical