Concept Mapping: A Tool for Teaching and Learning A presentation to Teaching Development Day for Students and Post-Doctoral Fellows September 7, 2010 Nasser Saleh

Workshop Objective The objective of this workshop is to introduce the use of concept mapping as a teaching/learning tool that can facilitate the process of teaching/learning.

What is a concept map? A concept map presents the relationships among a set of connected concepts and ideas. It is a tangible way to display how a mind "sees" a particular topic. By constructing a concept map, you reflect on what you know and what you don't know.

Concept Mapping Concept MapsConcept labelsLinking wordsHierarchy

A concept map of concept maps

Concept Maps: External Cognitive Structure Represent meaningful relationships Visually represent conceptual understanding Help defining your research problem Facilitate active learning Connect new information with old

How to Create a Concept Map 1.Select text and choose/list key concepts 2.Organize concepts (hierarchy) 3.Construct map using rank-ordered concepts (usually need to “rework” maps) 4.Include valid links (proposistions), cross- links, and examples (events or objects) 5.Evaluate

Exercise (15mins) In a group of 3-4, work on constructing a concept map for a research question/ topic that is of interest for you and for your group, If possible, work with colleagues from your discipline/ department Some suggested topics can be: Wind Energy, Urban Agriculture, or The future of Higher Education in Canada,.. etc.

Constructing a Concept Map (Manual Method) Brainstorming Phase: From the research topic and your memory, identify facts, terms, and ideas that you think are in anyway associated with the topic. Make a list of these items and print them neatly on small papers or Post-It ® notes, one per note, in very brief form, i. e. a single word or short phrase.

Constructing a Concept Map Organizing Phase: Spread out your concepts on a flat surface so that all can be read easily and, together, create groups and sub-groups of related items. Try to group items to emphasize hierarchies. Identify terms that represent those higher categories and add them. Feel free to introduce new items that you omitted initially.

Constructing a Concept Map Layout Phase: On a large sheet of paper, try to come up with an arrangement (layout) that best represents your collective understanding of the interrelationships and connections among groupings.

Constructing a Concept Map Linking Phase: Use lines with arrows to connect and show the relationship between connected items. Write a word or short phrase by each arrow to specify the relationship. Many arrows can originate or terminate on particularly important concepts.

Constructing a Concept Map Finalizing the Concept Map: After you have agreed on an arrangement of items that coveys your understanding, you need to convert the concept map into a permanent form that others can view and discuss.

Review your concept map Accuracy and Thoroughness. Are the concepts and relationships correct? Are important concepts missing? Are any misconceptions apparent? Organization. Was the concept map laid out in a way that higher order relationships are apparent and easy to follow? Does it have a title? Appearance. Was the assignment done with care showing attention to details such as spelling and penmanship? Creativity. Are there unusual elements that aid communication or stimulate interest without being distracting?

Problem/ Project Based Learning and concept mapping In problem-based learning, a group of students can construct a concept map to “visualize” each group member’s thoughts of the problem. The concept map can help identifying the known concepts and what other concepts that need further investigation. The concept map can used to link to existing known information sources and what other information sources that are needed.

Concept mapping & problem solving Problem Definition Concept Mapping Information Needs Solution

What IS and what is NOT a Concept Map?

Concept Maps vs. Outlines Concept maps: LINK subordinate with superordinate showing relationship show relationships VISUALLY provide visual CROSS REFERENCING using cross links

Proposition: Without the industrial chemical reduction of atmospheric nitrogen, starvation would be rampant in third world countries. FOOD Human Health and Survival Contains Required for and Requiring more Essential Amino Acids Animals Used for Such as Made by Plants GrainsLegumes Required for growth of Symbiotic Bacteria “Fixed” Nitrogen Possess That produce Agricultural Practices Population Growth Politics Economics Distribution Climate Starvation and Famine Malthus 1819 Eastern Europe India Africa Deprivation leads to Can be limited by and Such as in PesticidesHerbicidesGenetics & Breeding Irrigation Fertilizer Which significantly supplements naturally Such as Predicted by Can be increased by NH 3 Haber Process Atmospheric N 2 Protein Includes Eaten by Used by humans as

Concept mapping software There is a number of available software that can be used for constructing concept maps. Some software are free/open source and some are proprietary packages Selection of the software is dependent on its features such as online editing, online collaboration, a server-client version.

Free concept mapping software FreeMindCmap

Free concept mapping software Compendium VUE

Proprietary concept mapping software Inspiration MindMeister

Mind mapping?

Conclusion

Contact Nasser Saleh Integrated Learning Librarian Engineering & Science Library Queen’s University

Examples of Students Answers

Examples of Visualizing Information Collaborative upper year project Individual student in 2 nd year

Proposition: Without the industrial chemical reduction of atmospheric nitrogen, starvation would be rampant in third world countries. FOOD Human Health and Survival Contains Required for and Requiring more Essential Amino Acids Animals Used for Such as Made by Plants GrainsLegumes Required for growth of Symbiotic Bacteria “Fixed” Nitrogen Possess That produce Agricultural Practices Population Growth Politics Economics Distribution Climate Starvation and Famine Malthus 1819 Eastern Europe India Africa Deprivation leads to Can be limited by and Such as in PesticidesHerbicidesGenetics & Breeding Irrigation Fertilizer Which significantly supplements naturally Such as Predicted by Can be increased by NH 3 Haber Process Atmospheric N 2 Protein Includes Eaten by Used by humans as