What is a Concept Map?

Concept maps often include:

concepts or ideas, enclosed in circles or boxes.
 represented in hierarchical fashion

relationships between concepts, indicated by a

connecting line.
 words on the line specify the precise relationship

cross-links (relationships between concepts in

different domains of the concept map).

specific examples of events or objects

 help clarify meaning of a given concept

From “The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How to Construct Them,” by Joseph D. Novak.
Online version available at http://wwwcmap.coginst.uwf.edu/info/.
 Concept Map Sample…

Novak, J.D. & Gowin, D.B. (1984). Learning How to Learn. New York: Cambridge University Press.
 Concept Map Sample…

From http://www.inspiration.com/diagrams/ed/conceptmap2.html. Map by Paul Rutherford.

Not a Concept Map Sample…

Life-Cycle Analysis Flow Chart

Uses of Concept Mapping

BRAINSTORMING SUPPORT: Provides format and

direction for planning and generating new ideas.

STUDY AID: Facilitates effective note taking,

summarizes newly learned concepts, or lends some
structure or activity to reflective thinking.

INSTRUCTIONAL TOOL: Serves as visual aid or

schematic summary, demonstrates complex
relationships, or provides a means for assessment of
understanding or isolation of misconceptions.
Focus: Pre- and post-lesson assessments

Help students and educators recognize what

students already know.

Focus students on subject at hand, and help

them frame their own learning.

Allow educators to catch misconceptions

early.
Learning as Conceptual Change
Students have pre-existing ideas, mental
models, vocabulary, etc. (correct or incorrect).

Student must understand relationships

between existing ideas and concepts and
newly-presented meanings for internalization
to occur.

Second language acquisition example.

Examples from Science &
Technology for the Environment

Students were asked to:

draw concept maps of key ideas in assigned readings.
draw simple concept maps, then elaborate and refine
based on new information.
 Atmospheric System Example
draw two concept maps comparing and contrasting
environmental issues.
 Tropospheric Ozone vs. Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
 Global Climate Change vs. Ozone Depletion
examine complexities of environmental problems using
concept maps.
 Causes of extinction of a frog species
Application

Green Building Discussion -- “What is a Green

Building?”

What are the benefits of this sort of exercise

for students? For teachers?

What are some possible shortcomings or

limitations of concept maps?
Discussion

Questions? Comments? Concerns?

Links to Concept Mapping Websites
General / How To:
http://classes.aces.uiuc.edu/ACES100/Mind/CMap.html - Offers general background
information, as well as useful discussion of different types of concept maps.
http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed407938.html - General information.
http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/map_ho.html - General information.
http://www.inov8.engr.psu.edu/faculty/cmap.htm - General information, useful
discussion of how to create concept maps.
http://www.mindtools.com/mindmaps.html - "Improving Note Taking with Concept
Maps."

Software:
http://www.inspiration.com - Most commonly used concept-mapping software. Site also
contains information about theory, and instruction on mapping methods (see, for example,
http://www.inspiration.com/inspclass.html).
http://www.mindmapper.com - Alternate concept-mapping software.

Theory:
http://wwwcmap.coginst.uwf.edu/info/ - "The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How
To Construct Them," by J. D. Novak.

Examples / Uses:
http://www.sar.usf.edu/~edorsz/ - Programmable concept map that demonstrates their
potential complexity and possible application.
http://www.schoolnet.edu.mo/general/biology/temp/cmap/respir.html - Map of
cellular respiration.
http://ksi.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/articles/ConceptMaps/CM.html#Section1 - Discusses
practical application of concept map as a hypertext tool.
Additional Resources

Ausubel, D. P. (1963). The Psychology of Meaningful Verbal Learning.

New York: Grune and Stratton.

Ausubel, D. P. (1968). Educational Psychology: A Cognitive View. New

York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

Bloom, B. S. (1956). Taxonomy of Educational Objectives--The

Classification of Educational Goals. New York: David McKay.

Hyerle, D. (1996). Visual Tools for Constructing Knowledge.

Alexandria, Virginia: Association for Supervision and Curriculum
Development.

Novak, J.D. & Gowin, D.B. (1984). Learning How to Learn. New York:
Cambridge University Press.