Concept Mapping as a Study Skill What are Concept Maps? Concept maps visually show the relationship between terms or concepts. Their purpose is to help you to understand the important connections between concepts in science. Developing concept maps can be fun and satisfying, but also challenging, and you may be tempted to take the easier route and simply study a concept map constructed by someone else. However, it is the process of struggling through the development of the concept map that will help you synthesize concepts and retain knowledge and are therefore a useful tool for learning and revision. In the end, the final product will probably be of less use to you than the misconceptions you uncover, and the deeper understanding you gain as a result of actually developing, justifying, and defending a map that you construct.

Examples of concept maps in biology

A concept map using a white board and sticky pads!

Connecting phrases: Good connecting phrases explicitly show how terms are logically connected, highlight roles, functions or examples connecting the two concepts. NADH Electron Transport Chain goes to NADH Electron Transport Chain carries high energy electrons to A poor connection: A much better connection:

1.Construct a concept map demonstrating your understanding of the process involved in evolution by natural selection. Begin your map with the following concepts and connecting phrases: genes --> encode --> proteins --> determine --> phenotypic traits 2. To these concepts and connecting phrases, link the following concepts: natural selectionselection pressure populationallele frequency adaptation mutation variationbiodiversity reproductionfitness 3. Make sure your Concept Map includes: An appropriate 'hierarchy', that is to say, bigger ideas ‘umbrella’ smaller ideas; 'Connecting lines' and precise 'Linking words/phrases/examples' to connect the concepts that you use in your map; and 'Crosslinks' that connect more than one concept to another. PART 1: Design a concept map.

Swap your map with another table and discuss as a class. Critically assessing concept maps created by a another group is an effective way of revealing undiscovered misconceptions or missing connections. While assessing another map, correct inaccurate or vague connections, and add connecting lines and terms where you feel connections are missing. Use a different color marker to differentiate your comments or changes. PART 2: Evaluation of Concept Maps