Concept Map –

what, why and how?

Concept Map Tools: Cmap: http://cmap.ihmc.us/ 　 VUE: http://vue.tufts.edu/ Others (from Wiki)

Recommended instruction video

What is Concept Mapping ?

Concept mapping is a technique for representing knowledge in graphs. Knowledge graphs are networks of concepts. Networks consist of nodes (points) and links. Nodes represent concepts and links represent the relations between concepts.

Concepts and links . . . can be simply associative, specified or divided in categories such as causal or temporal relations. (source)

Why Concept Map?

to generate ideas (brain storming, etc.); to design a complex structure (of a long

texts or large web sites, etc.); to organize and compare complex ideas; to aid learning by explicitly integrating

new and old knowledge; to assess understanding or diagnose

misunderstanding.

(source)

Why Concept Map in World Literatures in English?

Being in an ‘ill-structured’ knowledge domain, the cultural texts and issues we discuss are interrelated in many different ways;

To generate and organize ideas (brain storming, etc.) by yourself and/or with your group helps remember and clarify the ideas you have;

To organize and communicate complex ideas in between these texts/issues helps formulate a map which you can later add to and revise.

To describe and explain to the whole class your CMap will help the whole form and revise our concepts maps.

Process of Making a CMap

1. Listing ideas while thinking of your main topic & focused question.

2. Put the ideas on your “canvas” (paper or software) and arrange them in layers, with the central one on top, and then the rest following their degrees of generality (from the general to the specific, from causes to effects).

3. Link the concepts (vertically first) and explain the links in simple words

Process of Making a CMap (2) 4. Think of another central concept as well as their related ideas.

5. Link this concept cluster with the first one AND explain the links.

6. Usu. vertical links suggest subordination, while horizontal (equation or correlation)

7. Examine the whole map to see if they answer your focused question (e.g. How are children affected by wars?)

8. Present your ideas in class (as a group), or in writing (in your final exam)

How in our class

1. Required: (final exam) Making your concept map in

a group or individually Must include: A topic, a focused

Qeustion, explanation of the links among concept (both on the map itself and in writing or presentation)

3. Optional for the Adventurous: used to organize the concepts presented in your group report.

Concept Map Tools

See here (Wikipedia)

Freeware to Use (1) Cmap: Proposition, Concept, Link, Special Functions

Nested Node Format—auto layout—hierarchical Highlight –style palette -- Object—Align – Align

middle Add: links, info, annotation Save on personal computer or on Cmap server Outline view Presentation builder

Ref. Three Conceptmap Tools https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axZD1WMPRIo

Freeware to Use (2)

Vue – pathway –(slides for presentation)

User Guide

Freeware to Use (2) Coggle --–easy, but not recommended for this class

Freeware to Use

Xmind

Our example—unfinished --webpage

References

http://users.edte.utwente.nl/lanzing/cm_home.htm