concept mapping: a tool for teaching and learning a presentation to teaching development day for...
TRANSCRIPT
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 Maps
Concept labels Linking words Hierarchy
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 concepts2. 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 Healthand Survival
Contains
Required for
and
Requiring more
Essential Amino Acids
Animals
Used for
Such as
Madeby
Plants
Grains Legumes
Required forgrowth 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
Pesticides HerbicidesGenetics & Breeding
Irrigation
Fertilizer Which significantly supplements naturally
Such as
Predicted by
Ca
n b
e in
crea
sed
by
NH3Haber
ProcessAtmospheric N2
Protein
Includes
Eatenby
Use
d b
y h
um
an
s a
s
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
FreeMind Cmap
Free concept mapping software
Compendium VUE
Proprietary concept mapping software
Inspiration MindMeister
Mind mapping?
Conclusion
Contact
Nasser SalehIntegrated Learning Librarian
Engineering & Science Library Queen’s University
Examples of Students Answers
Examples of Visualizing Information
Collaborative upper year project
Individual student in 2nd
year
Proposition: Without the industrial chemical reduction of atmospheric nitrogen, starvation would be rampant in third world countries.
FOOD
Human Healthand Survival
Contains
Required for
and
Requiring more
Essential Amino Acids
Animals
Used for
Such as
Madeby
Plants
Grains Legumes
Required forgrowth 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
Pesticides HerbicidesGenetics & Breeding
Irrigation
Fertilizer Which significantly supplements naturally
Such as
Predicted by
Ca
n b
e in
crea
sed
by
NH3Haber
ProcessAtmospheric N2
Protein
Includes
Eatenby
Use
d b
y h
um
an
s a
s