Concept mapping is a very powerful constructivist learning tool.  The ability to rapidly capture ideas and their inter-relationships, while still being able to re-organise them later, can prove to be a useful tool for examining a topic or for analysing the thinking process itself. Constructing a concept map provides a means of visually demonstrating existing understandings and knowledge and to reflect on, expand and deepen it.

A mind map or concept map is a graphical representation of concepts and the relationships between them. Both represent knowledge in diagrams consisting of “nodes” and “links”. The difference between concept maps and mind maps is that a mind map has only one main concept, while a concept map may have several. Thus a mind map can be represented as a “tree”, while a concept map may need a network representation. The concept mapping technique was developed by Prof. Joseph D. Novak at Cornell University in the 1960s, while Mind Maps were developed by Tony Buzan in the UK.

A concept map provides a means of visually mapping interconnections between isolated bits of knowledge.  It usually consists of concepts, often represented by single words, enclosed in a box and connected to other concepts by arrows.  Concepts may have words or phrases on the arrows that link them.

Here are examples of concept maps from NASA about exploring Mars:

http://cmex.ihmc.us/cmex/table.html

Concept maps can be used to

  • generate ideas (brain storming, etc.);
  • design a complex structure (long texts, hypermedia, large web sites, etc.);
  • communicate complex ideas;
  • aid learning by explicitly integrating new and old knowledge;
  • assess understanding or diagnose misunderstanding;
  • help thinkers document and describe their thinking.


By using a Concept Map people can often

  • improve clarity of thought;
  • assimilate more information;
  • achieve deeper understanding;
  • improve memorization;
  • improve coherence;
  • enhance clarity of relations.
     

In the following notes we will be looking at 'knowledge modelling', which can best be thought of as concept mapping on steroids, because, as you will see in the following pages, much more than just words or concepts in linked boxes can be included.

>Next: Steps to Creating Your First Concept Map