Concept Mapping in Concept Mapping in the Classroomthe Classroom

David W. DillardDavid W. Dillard

M.A.I.N. ITV M.A.I.N. ITV ConsortiumConsortium

Objectives• Definition• Purpose/Use in the classroom• Basic Concepts• Types of Graphic Organizers• The process

–An example• Tips and Suggestions• Software and resources

Visual OrganizersMappingGraphic OrganizersWebbingConcept Mapping

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.

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.

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)

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

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.

Sample

Visual learning techniques help students: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.

Visual learning techniques help students: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.

Problem solvingDecision makingProjectsWritingInvestigative Learning

WebbingConcept mappingMatrix

Venn DiagramsComparisonMatrix

Flow Chart

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

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.

1. Preparation (define the problem)

2. Generation of statements

3. Structuring of statements

4. Representation of statements in the form of a map

5. Interpretation of maps

6. Utilization of maps

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

Map MakingShapes (different shapes for different types of information)Colors

For effectFor differentiation (old-new, fact-thought)

ArrowsWords - linksTitles

Don’t 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

Revise your map – good maps are like good writing – several draftsRevise oftenRemove concepts/ideas that do not belongNow spelling countsClearNeatnessLogicalAttractive

http://www.inspiration.com/home.cfm

http://www.inspiration.com/prodev/index.cfm?fuseaction=insprec

http://www.inspiration.com/standards/state_detail.cfm?fuseaction=Missouri

Missouri State Standards

http://teachers.teach-nology.com/web_tools/graphic_org/

http://teachers.teach-nology.com/web_tools/graphic_org/

http://graphic.org/

•Missouri – The State and its Resources

•How do we raise MAP scores?