Concept Mapping

Concept Map A diagram showing the relationship between concepts. Concepts are connected by labeled arrows that describe the relationship between the concepts being linked. Gathers information about understanding of and attitudes about a subject or topic.

OCEAN Creating a Concept Map Step 1. Select a central concept

OCEAN algae coral reefs mermaids seagrass beds sand weather manatees blue fish habitat Creating a Concept Map Step 2. Brainstorm secondary concepts

OCEAN algae coral reefs mermaids seagrass beds sand weather manatees blue fish habitat influences eat kills has supports live in inspired by transports live in provide food for grow on found in looks can make you feel live in need provides Creating a Concept Map Step 3. Describe the relationships between concepts by drawing arrows, and using linking words (propositions)

Advantages Offers a more comprehensive and complex view of someone’s thinking that a test does Could be a better tool to gauge levels of understanding for visual learners or test- phobic people Can gather qualitative and quantitative data Useful for both adults and children

Challenges Takes instruction to complete properly Takes training to administer Can be challenging and time consuming to score Can be difficult to analyze and interpret

Concept maps… …many uses...many topics …many approaches

…pictures/symbols

…capturing attitudes, beliefs, opinions

…lesson plans

Other examples …design tool

…communicating complex ideas

…planning

Scoring Structural assessment (quantitative) Relational assessment (qualitative)

Structural Assessment Appropriate if the user freely identified concepts that s/he felt were related to the subject Assigns weighted scores to the physical map characteristics: Number of concepts Number of links Number of hierarchical levels Number of cross-links Number of examples/informational links

Relational Assessment Appropriate if: the user freely identified concepts that s/he felt were related to the subject if the user was given a list of concepts to map if the map was generated using a template or guide Quantifies the quality of concepts, links and propositions Compares user-generated map to an expert generated map

Resources In the real world

Other examples

Resources mapping.htm