Concept Mapping Creating and using concept maps: better understanding, better retention and problem solving

What is a concept map? Type of Brainstorming: encourages generation of new material including different interpretations and new perspectives

Knowledge Organization Demonstration of how organizing knowledge according to hierarchies that highlight relationships between ideas accelerates learning, enhances memory and problem solving

Accelerated Learning through Reorganization How many B’s were in the list? How many D’s were in the list? Was the letter P in the list? Does it make sense to add the following letters to the list F O X? A B C?

FBI CBS UFO USA NBC CIA ESP US Agencies TV Networks Para Psych FBI NBC UFO CIA CBS ESP USA

Why do you need concept mapping? To reorganize poorly organized information Identifies central concept (idea) Helps illuminate connections Reduces large amounts of information to a single sheet of paper Effective way to verify what you are learning Identify gaps in knowledge Efficient & effective way to review for exams

How does it look like? Pictorial Representation of the Main Concepts & Relationships Central idea 1 ? ? ?

Interrelated Concepts Central idea 1 Central idea 2

Avoid Dispersed (Encyclopedic) Knowledge Don’t rely on the given sequence Don’t learn line by line: rote memorization will not help the Lincoln penny example Don’t emphasize learning details (you can add these later)

Enhance Elaborated Knowledge Identify optimal organizational framework (the Big Picture!) Look for or make summaries that capture the hierarchy & important relationships Learn details last (this may require memorization)

6 Steps to Making a Concept Map Identify central concept(s) Identify major topics covered within the central concept Identify subtopics Map all topics and subtopics with labeled links that indicate relationship Add details Review and elaborate further

Steps to creating a concept map Step 1: Identify the main heading Usually in the chapter title or the section heading Place in center of page (or at top) in box or a circle

Steps to creating a concept map Step 2: Identify the major topics covered Find topics covered by chapter or section Limit to six concepts at the beginning Map these topics around the main concept Look for relationships to organize the concepts Begin to draw connections (use lines, arrows etc) Label the lines with verbs to indicate relationship of one concept to the next

Steps to creating a concept map Step 3: Identify Major Sub-topics Subtopics are: categories, lists of components, steps in a process, characteristics, or cause-and-effect relationships. Return to your notes or text to review, clarify and elaborate terms and identify new terms to add

Steps to creating a concept map Step 4: Begin to draw the map Map all topics and subtopics with labeled links that indicate relationships Draw lines and label connections to show similarities and differences The concept map should begin to look like a web

Steps to creating a concept map Step 5: Add details and elaborate For each sub-topic, add details Details include: facts, definitions, descriptions, specific examples, exceptions, etc.

Steps to creating a concept map Step 6: Expand concept map Build upon layers of visual connections You may discover that you need additional information on topics or that your understanding is less than complete.

What can be mapped? Pretty much anything!!

Cell Structure and Function

General Suggestions Create rough and final drafts of your concept maps Use plain paper – lined paper may hinder thought USE COLOR – consider investing in a good set of colored pencils and use highlighters to emphasize important concepts

General Suggestions Use shorthand, abbreviations, symbols – avoid writing sentences – make sure you can decipher your ‘codes” Develop on your own – then share and revise in groups Keep all of your concept maps together(comes in handy when studying for tests)

Digestion in Stomach

Concept mapping with groups Consider creating a concept map study group Group members create their own concept maps then they come together to compare and contrast their maps

Group revised maps will: Improve understanding – groups can facilitate understanding of concepts and relationships Assure Accuracy – when working with a group you can check the content of your concept map against the content of your peers’ map Add information – after working with groups, you may discover that you need additional information

Reflecting on the concept map Metacognition Did the concept map help you understand the information? Did making the concept map help you identify difficult concepts? Did making the concept map help you understand key relationships? Did you reorganize the content for your map? Was comparing maps helpful? Which would you rather use to study from: a map or the syllabus?