Concept+Map

Concept Map Katelyn Rosevear

Introduction Concept mapping is a graphical organizational method, which shows relationships among similar ideas. This form of organization provides an overview of a concept, idea, or image. It provides an interconnected web, providing a visualization of how and where similar topics relate. These maps include words or phrase, often inside of a box, circle, or other shape. Arrows connect the boxes to other boxes, containing information, which relate to similar concepts. Concept maps are usually read from top to bottom. Cross-linking is another characteristic of concept mapping.

History Dr. Joseph D. Novak, an expert of human learning, educational studies, and knowledge creation and representation, created concept mapping. He formed the technique with his fellow team of researchers in 1972 at Cornell University. Concept maps have been used particularly with constructivism, a learning movement which focuses on the construction of knowledge by learners.

Application In the classroom, concept maps are quite versatile. They can be used to introduce and explain new concepts. A flowchart used in the classroom is an example of this. Also they can be used as a form of assessment. When used as an assessment, students can input key words or phrases into empty spaces in an existing concept map. Another assessment may have students create their own concept map in order to demonstrate their knowledge of an idea. Teachers can use concept maps to help them teach. Concept mapping can be used as a way for teachers to create lessons, to show them how to relate similar topics and the order or sequence of events within the lesson.

Examples Here are a few examples of Concept Mapping:

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