Using Concept Mapping to Strengthen Students Analytic Skills

1. Using Concept Mapping to Strengthen Students Analytic Skills Best Practices Conference May 19, 2003 Linda Ehley & Leona Truchan

2. 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

3. Audience Background • Who has used concept mapping as a vehicle for learning? • Who has used any software for concept mapping?

4. 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

5. Visual Tools For Constructing Knowledge • Graphic organizers i.e. -Conceptual mapping • Benefits 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

6. Pedagogical Reasons • Vehicle to enhance analytical reading • Helps student identify major and minor concepts • Writing on links helps student see relationships between concepts

7. Pedagogical Reasons (cont.) • Fosters lateral thinking and creates visual representation of connections • Last Days of Wonder Drugs

8. Pedagogical Reasons (cont.) • Alternative way to organize information • Alternative View

9. Pedagogical Reasons (cont.) • Allows for Individual learning styles • High Content • Writing For the Web

10. Inspiration Software • Current version 7.0 • Several different versions and types • Kidspiration - version for children • Versions out there - 2 to 7

11. Overview of Inspiration • Program works on both platforms • Terminology • Symbol - concepts • Links - connections between concepts: clarification or examples • Relationships - linear or lateral • Directions for using Inspiration (handout)

12. Task for Participants • Read article • SARS - Newsweek May 5, 2003 • Use Inspiration to create a concept map of the article • Share with your neighbor

13. 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 Learning • http://www.ettc.net/techfellow/inspiration.htm -- The Virtual Institute • http://www.graphic.org --The graphic Organizer • http://ericit.org/digests/EDO-IR-1977-05.shtml Clearing House on Information and Technology

14. Questions/Comments?

20. Hierarchical

21. Conceptual

22. Sequential

23. Cyclical