Using Concept Mapping to Using Concept Mapping to Strengthen Students Strengthen Students

Analytic SkillsAnalytic Skills

Best Practices ConferenceBest Practices Conference

May 19, 2003May 19, 2003

Linda Ehley & Leona TruchanLinda Ehley & Leona Truchan

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

Audience Background

Who has used concept mapping as a vehicle for learning?

Who has used any software for concept mapping?

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

Visual Tools For Constructing Knowledge

Graphic organizers i.e. -Conceptual mappingBenefits 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

Pedagogical Reasons

Vehicle to enhance analytical reading– Helps student identify major and minor

concepts– Writing on links helps student see

relationships between concepts

Pedagogical Reasons (cont.)

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

Pedagogical Reasons (cont.)

Alternative way to organize information– Alternative View

Pedagogical Reasons (cont.)

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

Inspiration Software

Current version 7.0

Several different versions and types– Kidspiration - version for

children– Versions out there - 2 to 7

Overview of Inspiration

Program works on both platformsTerminology– Symbol - concepts– Links - connections between

concepts: clarification or examples– Relationships - linear or lateral

Directions for using Inspiration (handout)

Task for Participants

Read article – SARS - Newsweek May 5, 2003

Use Inspiration to create a concept map of the article

Share with your neighbor

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, England:Cambridge University Press.http://www.inspiration.com -- Visual Learninghttp://www.ettc.net/techfellow/inspiration.htm -- The Virtual Institutehttp://www.graphic.org --The graphic Organizerhttp://ericit.org/digests/EDO-IR-1977-05.shtml Clearing House on Information and Technology

Questions/Comments?

Hierarchical

Conceptual

Sequential

Cyclical