Andrew Thomas
LTRE 190
What is It?
A graphical way of organizing your thoughts and
showing how concepts are related.
How it is used
•Concept mapping can be used in
many ways. Most commonly it is
used for brain-storming ideas.
•Although they are also can be
used to communicate complex
ideas.
Types of
Maps
Flow
Chart
Hierarchy
Table
Hierarchy
Hierarchy
list
Flow Chart
Displays
information
in
A linear
form
Why use a concept map?
•Reviewing for exams.
•Brainstorming, organizing concepts and principles.
•Identifying mistakes and areas of confusion.
•Assessing prior knowledge, generating questions
and answers from a reading or writing assignment,
and organizing arguments.
How to make a Concept
Map
1. Identify the main topic or core concept.
2. Brainstorm for everything known about the topic.
3. Organize the information according to major points.
4. Place information on a map — working from the core concept, to
major points, to significant details.
5. Review relevant course materials and discipline-specific vocabulary
to make sure that you have everything, and then label connecting
strands with words or phrases that indicate the nature of the
relationships.
6. Use branches, arrows, and other symbols like stop signs or yield
signs to indicate the nature of the relationships between ideas.
7. Use different colors, fonts or lines to group and distinguish
concepts.
Programs to help you
There are many programs that you can
download to help make a concept map.
1. Genieware Concept Map 4.1
2. Inspiration
3. Cmap software
4. Free Mind
Cmap
Inspiration
Costs about 70 dollars.
With one click, your Inspiration diagram transforms
into a traditional written outline. Here you can
modify and rearrange concepts and words to
produce clearly communicated reports, letters,
memos and written presentations.
Easy to use and very helpful.
Inspiration
Genieware Concept Map
4.1
It is in every computer lab here at NIU
Made by a former NIU student
Free program that easy to use
Free Mind
Free Mind
The End
Sources
Novak, Joseph D., D. B. Gowin, and Jane B. Kahle. Learning
How to Learn. New York: Cambridge UP, 1984.
"Concept Mapping." Learning Services. 5 Oct. 2007. University
of Guelph Library. 16 Nov. 2008
<http://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/assistance/learning_services/fastf
acts/concept_mapping.cfm>.