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Concept Mapping
Concept mapping can be used to organize related information in a
visual manner. Maps can demonstrate clearly and concisely the
hierarchical relationships among the topic, main ideas, and
supporting details. Mapping can be a way of picturing course
content that enhances retrievability of the information, which can
be helpful on tests. Maps are useful because they organize large
amounts of information. Mapping can help you to learn actively.
Maps can be highly individualized, representing information in a
unique and personal way. The maps allow you to see and to show how
you understand the interrelationships in the information. How to
map: 1. Select a topic and identify the key concepts. 2. Decide on
how to categorize the information: Does something take place over
time? Can an idea be broken down neatly into constituent parts? Is
there a hierarchical relationship among the elements of the topic
or concept? 3. It can be helpful to write each main idea, major
heading, or term on a separate, small slip of paper or index card.
4. Move the cards or papers around until the map represents your
understanding of the material. You may find yourself adding or
discarding cards. 5. Write the info on the cards in boxes youve
drawn in the same arrangement on a piece of paper. 6. Now connect
the boxes with arrows and write along each arrow your description
of the relationship between the two boxes. 7. Software is available
for concept mapping. The CmapTools are available for download at:
http://cmap.ihmc.us. They were developed at the Institute for Human
and Machine Cognition and they bring together the strengths of
concept mapping with the power of technology. (Please see: Caas, A.
J., Hill, G., Carff, R., Suri, N., Lott, J., Eskridge, T., et al.
(2004b). CmapTools: A knowledge modeling and sharing environment.
In A. J. Caas, J. D. Novak & F. M. Gonzlez (Eds.), Concept
maps: Theory, methodology, technology. Proceedings of the first
international conference on concept mapping (Vol. I, pp. 125-133).
Pamplona, Spain: Universidad Pblica de Navarra.)
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Below are some concept maps that show individual concepts (in
boxes) and describe how they are related (along the arrows). From
Novak, J. D. & A. J. Caas, The Theory Underlying Concept Maps
and How to Construct and Use Them, Technical Report IHMC CmapTools
2006-01 Rev 01-2008, Florida Institute for Human and Machine
Cognition, 2008, available at:
http://cmap.ihmc.us/Publications/ResearchPapers/TheoryUnderlyingConceptMaps.pdf
A concept map showing the key features of concept maps. Concept
maps tend to be read progressing from the top downward.
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One representation of the knowledge structure required for
understanding why we have seasons.
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A concept map prepared cooperatively by the faculty of the
College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University to show the
over-all structure for a revised curriculum
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For a fuller description of concept mapping, please see Novak,
J. D. & A. J. Caas, The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How
to Construct and Use Them, Technical Report IHMC CmapTools 2006-01
Rev 01-2008, Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition,
2008, available at:
http://cmap.ihmc.us/Publications/ResearchPapers/TheoryUnderlyingConceptMaps.pdf
