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Concept Mapping

Driving Students to Make Connections

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Concept Map (n.) Diagram that visually represents

the relationships between ideas Tool to promote active learning

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Goals Expand your understanding of

concept mapping uses for the classroom

Evaluate how concept mapping fits into your classroom and schoolwide content area literacy

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Sample Concept Map

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Ways to Use Concept Mapping

Humanities Character Webs Literary Analysis Prewriting for Essays Biographies Cause and Effect Compare and

Contrast Brainstorming Unit Review Unit Assessment

Science & Math Flow Charts Lab Report Concept

Connections Venn Diagram Graphic Organizers Processing

Information Unit Review Unit Assessment

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The Benefits Clarifies thinking Assesses depth of understanding Examines relationships Identifies misconceptions Access higher order thinking

skills Stimulates discussion Reveals thinking processes Creates a record of learning

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Integrating Technology

Small group work Individual work Whole class

discussion Using software

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Whole Class Discussion

1) Students create individual maps before discussion

2) Assign jobs: Typist for class map Tracker for

participation Moderator to keep

on track

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Whole Class Discussion

3) Set stage for discussion (goals, format, rules, etc.)

4) Conduct discussion5) Wrap-up & conclusion:

Summary of learning Assessment of process Distribute maps

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Benefits of Technology Inspirations Software Aspect

Easier map manipulation Integrates graphics Outline to diagram conversion Builds confidence using technology Facilitates communication of ideas Focuses attention www.inspiration.com (30 day free trial)

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The Concept Map Group Test: Review & Knowledge Building

Teacher Selects key concepts or

vocabulary from unit. Students team up in 3’s Focuses attention on concepts Forces consensus Clarifies thinking Shares “world” view Produces a knowledge product

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Some Closing Thoughts “ I can explain it to you,

but I can’t understand it for you” Anonymous

"I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think." Socrates

“This concept mapping really helped me learn”…Helix Student