Concept Mapping in the Classroom

1. Concept Mapping in the Classroom David W. Dillard M.A.I.N. ITV Consortium

2. Objectives • Definition • Purpose/Use in the classroom • Basic Concepts • Types of Graphic Organizers • The process • An example • Tips and Suggestions • Software and resources

3. Terms • Visual Organizers • Mapping • Graphic Organizers • Webbing • Concept Mapping

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Definition • 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)

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

8. Definition 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.

9. Sample

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Formats for Class Activities • Problem solving • Decision making • Projects • Writing • Investigative Learning

13. Types of Graphic Organizers • Webbing • Concept mapping • Matrix • Venn Diagrams • Comparison • Matrix • Flow Chart

14. Uses in the Classroom • 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

15. Uses in the Classroom • 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.

16. Six Step Process • Preparation (define the problem) • Generation of statements • Structuring of statements • Representation of statements in the form of a map • Interpretation of maps • Utilization of maps

17. Tips: Prior to Starting the Concept Map • 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

18. Tips for Actual Construction • Map Making • Shapes (different shapes for different types of information) • Colors • For effect • For differentiation (old-new, fact-thought) • Arrows • Words - links • Titles

19. Tips for Actual Construction • 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

20. Tips: Finished Product • Revise your map – good maps are like good writing – several drafts • Revise often • Remove concepts/ideas that do not belong • Now spelling counts • Clear • Neatness • Logical • Attractive

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

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

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

24. Missouri State Standards

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

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

27. http://graphic.org/

28. Hands-on Activities

29. Factual Information • Missouri – The State and its Resources

30. Problem Solving • How do we raise MAP scores?