Concept map

A concept map or conceptual diagram is a diagram that depicts suggested relationships

between concepts. It is a graphical tool that instructional designers, engineers, technical writers,
and others use to organize and structureknowledge.
A concept map typically represents ideas and information as boxes or circles, which it connects
with labeled arrows in a downward-branching hierarchical structure. The relationship between
concepts can be articulated in linking phrases such as causes, requires, or contributes to.
The technique for visualizing these relationships among different concepts is called concept
mapping. Concept maps define the ontology of computer systems, for example with the object-
role modeling or Unified Modeling Language formalism.
A concept map is a way of representing relationships between ideas,images, or words in the
same way that a sentence diagram represents the grammar of a sentence, a road map represents
the locations of highways and towns, and a circuit diagram represents the workings of an
electrical appliance. In a concept map, each word or phrase connects to another, and links back
to the original idea, word, or phrase. Concept maps are a way to develop logical thinking and
study skills by revealing connections and helping students see how individual ideas form a larger
whole. An example of the use of concept maps is provided in the context of learning about types
of fuel.
Concept maps were developed to enhance meaningful learning in the sciences. A well-made
concept map grows within a context frame defined by an explicit "focus question", while a mind
map often has only branches radiating out from a central picture. Some research evidence
suggests that the brain stores knowledge as productions (situation-response conditionals) that act
ondeclarative memory content, which is also referred to as chunks or propositions. Because
concept maps are constructed to reflect organization of the declarative memory system, they
facilitate sense-making and meaningful learning on the part of individuals who make concept
maps and those who use them.
Topic maps: Concept maps are rather similar to topic maps in that both allow to connect
concepts or topics via graphs. Among the various schema and techniques for visualizing ideas,
processes, and organizations, concept mapping, as developed by Joseph Novak is unique in its
philosophical basis, which "makes concepts, and propositions composed of concepts, the central
elements in the structure of knowledge and construction of meaning."
Mind maps: Both concept maps and topic maps can be contrasted with mind mapping, which is
often restricted to radial hierarchies and tree structures. Another contrast between concept
mapping and mind mapping is the speed and spontaneity when a mind map is created. A mind
map reflects what you think about a single topic, which can focus group brainstorming. A
concept map can be a map, a system view, of a real (abstract) system or set of concepts. Concept
maps are more free form, as multiple hubs and clusters can be created, unlike mind maps, which
fix on a single two centered approach.
The technique of concept mapping was developed by Joseph D. Novak and his research team
at Cornell University in the 1970s as a means of representing the emerging science knowledge of
students. It has subsequently been used as a tool to increase meaningful learning in the sciences
and other subjects as well as to represent the expert knowledge of individuals and teams in
education, government and business. Concept maps have their origin in the learning movement
called constructivism. In particular, constructivists hold that learners actively construct
knowledge.
Novak's work is based on the cognitive theories of David Ausubel, who stressed the importance
of prior knowledge in being able to learn (or assimilate) new concepts: "The most important
single factor influencing learning is what the learner already knows. Ascertain this and teach
accordingly." Novak taught students as young as six years old to make concept maps to represent
their response to focus questions such as "What is water?" "What causes the seasons?" In his
book Learning How to Learn, Novak states that a "meaningful learning involves the assimilation
of new concepts and propositions into existing cognitive structures."
Various attempts have been made to conceptualize the process of creating concept maps. Ray
McAleese, in a series of articles, has suggested that mapping is a process of off-loading. In this
1998 paper, McAleese draws on the work of Sowa and a paper by Sweller & Chandler. In
essence, McAleese suggests that the process of making knowledge explicit,
using nodes and relationships, allows the individual to become aware of what they know and as
a result to be able to modify what they know. Maria Birbili applies that same idea to helping
young children learn to think about what they know. The concept of the knowledge arena is
suggestive of a virtual space where learners may explore what they know and what they do not
know.

Example concept map created using the IHMC CmapTools computer program.

Concept maps are used to stimulate the generation of ideas, and are believed to
aidcreativity. Concept mapping is also sometimes used for brain-storming. Although they are
often personalized and idiosyncratic, concept maps can be used to communicate complex ideas.
Formalized concept maps are used insoftware design, where a common usage isUnified
Modeling Language diagramming amongst similar conventions and development methodologies.
Concept mapping can also be seen as a first step in ontology-building, and can also be used
flexibly to represent formal argument.
Concept maps are widely used in education and business. Uses include:

Note taking and summarizing gleaning key concepts, their relationships and hierarchy from
documents and source materials
New knowledge creation: e.g., transforming tacit knowledge into an organizational resource,
mapping team knowledge
Institutional knowledge preservation (retention), e.g., eliciting and mapping expert
knowledge of employees prior to retirement
Collaborative knowledge modeling and the transfer of expert knowledge
Facilitating the creation of shared vision and shared understanding within a team or
organization
Instructional design: concept maps used as Ausubelian "advance organizers" that provide an
initial conceptual frame for subsequent information and learning.
Training: concept maps used as Ausubelian "advanced organizers" to represent the training
context and its relationship to their jobs, to the organization's strategic objectives, to training
goals.
Business concept mapping used as part of business analysis activities.
Increasing meaningful learning for example through writing activities where concept maps
automatically generated from an essay are shown to the writer.
Communicating complex ideas and arguments
Examining the symmetry of complex ideas and arguments and associated terminology
Detailing the entire structure of an idea, train of thought, or line of argument (with the
specific goal of exposing faults, errors, or gaps in one's own reasoning) for the scrutiny of
others.
Enhancing metacognition (learning to learn, and thinking about knowledge)
Improving language ability
Knowledge elicitation
Assessing learner understanding of learning objectives, concepts, and the relationship among
those concepts
Lexicon development
Concept maps have also been used to explore the complex roles and definitions of internet use
and social media:

Defining problematic internet usage: Concept mapping identified 7 concept clusters that take
into account the physical, emotional, social and functional impairments of this phenomenon.
Identifying Facebook's influence on users' attitudes, intentions and behaviors

Introduction to Concept Mapping

Used as a learning and teaching technique, concept mapping visually illustrates the relationships
between concepts and ideas. Often represented in circles or boxes, concepts are linked by words
and phrases that explain the connection between the ideas, helping students organize and
 structure their thoughts to further understand information and discover new relationships. Most
concept maps represent a hierarchical structure, with the overall, broad concept first with
connected sub-topics, more specific concepts, following.

Concept Map Example

Definition of a Concept Map

A concept map is a type of graphic organizer used to help students organize and represent
knowledge of a subject. Concept maps begin with a main idea (or concept) and then branch out
to show how that main idea can be broken down into specific topics.

Benefits of Concept Mapping

Concept mapping serves several purposes for learners:
Helping students brainstorm and generate new ideas
Encouraging students to discover new concepts and the propositions that connect them
Allowing students to more clearly communicate ideas, thoughts and information
Helping students integrate new concepts with older concepts
Enabling students to gain enhanced knowledge of any topic and evaluate the information
How to Build a Concept Map
Concept maps are typically hierarchical, with the subordinate concepts stemming from the main
concept or idea. This type of graphic organizer however, always allows change and new concepts
to be added. The Rubber Sheet Analogy states that concept positions on a map can continuously
change, while always maintaining the same relationship with the other ideas on the map.
Start with a main idea, topic, or issue to focus on.
A helpful way to determine the context of your concept map is to choose a focus
questionsomething that needs to be solved or a conclusion that needs to be reached.
Once a topic or question is decided on, that will help with the hierarchical structure of the
concept map.
Then determine the key concepts
 Find the key concepts that connect and relate to your main idea and rank them; most
general, inclusive concepts come first, then link to smaller, more specific concepts.
Finish by connecting concepts--creating linking phrases and words
Once the basic links between the concepts are created, add cross-links, which connect
concepts in different areas of the map, to further illustrate the relationships and strengthen
students understanding and knowledge on the topic.

Concept Maps in Education

When created correctly and thoroughly, concept mapping is a powerful way for students to
reach high levels of cognitive performance. A concept map is also not just a learning tool, but an
ideal evaluation tool for educators measuring the growth of and assessing student learning. As
students create concept maps, they reiterate ideas using their own words and help identify
incorrect ideas and concepts; educators are able to see what students do not understand,
providing an accurate, objective way to evaluate areas in which students do not yet grasp
concepts fully.
Inspiration Softwares Inspiration, Kidspiration and Webspiration Classroom service all
contain Diagram Views that makes it easy for students to create concept maps; students are able
to add new concepts and links as they see fit. Inspiration, Kidspiration and Webspiration
Classroom also come with a variety of concept map examples, templates and lesson plans to
show how concept mapping and the use of other graphic organizers can easily be integrated into
the curriculum to enhance learning, comprehension and writing skills.