The concept mapping technique was originally
developed by Prof. Joseph D. Novak at Cornell University
An important
characteristic of concept maps is the inclusion of "cross-links."
These are relationships between concepts or ideas in different parts of the
concept map. These cross-links help us to visualize how knowledge or
information represented in different parts of the map is related to each other.
In the creation of new knowledge, the creations of cross-links often represent
creative leaps on the part of the knowledge producer.
Concept maps have
been used in a wide variety of different disciplines including education,
policy studies, the philosophy of science language, sociology, psychology etc.
(Campstools’ web site, retrieved, Jan, 2010). Concept maps provide a visual
representation of knowledge structures and arguments. They provide a
complementary alternative to natural language as a means of communicating
knowledge (Novak et.al,1993) .
2.2 CREATING
CONCEPT MAPS
A concept map can be considered as
being similar to an organization chart or a flow diagram. The most useful form
of a concept map for both teaching and learning is one that has a hierarchical
organization with the more general and more inclusive concepts at the top of
the map and the more and specific ones towards the bottom. One can also start
in the centre and work outwards.
Concepts do not exist in isolation.
Each concept depends on one or more relationships to others. A concept map
depicts both the hierarchy and relationships among concepts. It demands clarity
of meaning and integration of important details. The process of constructing a
concept map requires one to think in multiple directions and to switch back and
forth between different levels. In attempting to identify the key and
associated concepts of a particular topic or sub-topic, one will usually
acquire a deeper understanding of the topic and clarification of any prior
misconceptions. To the user of a concept map, this ability to switch between
different levels and between different concepts or ideas represents an
important advantage over more traditional "flat" mechanisms of
presenting information. One is made aware of both the complexity and the
detail, and it is less easy to "forget" about important aspects of a
particular problem, perhaps because it is not within the user's main field of
expertise.
One big advantage of using concept
maps is that it provides a visual image of the concepts under study in a form
which can be focused on very easily. They can be relatively easily be revised
when required. During the formulation process the concept map brings together
the understanding of the meanings and relationships between a wide range of
ideas. It therefore makes learning or communicating ideas and new information
in more active process, not a passive one.
2.2.1 Steps in
Constructing Concept Maps
- Select or focus on a theme and then
identify related key words or phrases. What is the central word, concept,
question or problem around which to build your diagram or concept map?
What are the concepts, ideas, descriptive words or important questions
that you can associate with the main concept, topic, question or problem?
- Rank the concepts (key words) from
the most abstract and inclusive to the most concrete and specific.
- Cluster concepts that function at
similar level of abstraction and those that interrelate closely.
- Arrange concepts in a diagrammatic
representation.
- Add linking lines and where
appropriate label lines with a qualifying word or phrase.
- Groups of people can work together
on a concept map - this is a good way to "brainstorm" a problem
or idea
Adopted from DFID – Department For
International Development, retrieved Jan, 2010
It is an example of a simple Concept Map
showing some of the important topics that one might consider for the central
theme of "SmallStock
Adopted from Wikipedia-free on line
article-down loading on 28
January 2010
- MIND MAPPING
Mind Mapping is a way of representing information. It is a related
technique, invented (and copyrighted) by Tony Buzan in the UK
Mind maps are used to generate,
visualize, structure,
and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization,
problem solving,
decision making,
and writing.
The
elements of a given mind map are arranged intuitively according to the
importance of the concepts, and are classified into groupings, branches, or
areas, with the goal of representing semantic
or other connections between portions of information. Mind maps may also aid
recall of existing memories.
By presenting ideas in a radial, graphical, non-linear
manner, mind maps encourage a brainstorming
approach to planning and organizational tasks. Though the branches of a mind
map represent hierarchical tree structures, their radial arrangement disrupts
the prioritizing of concepts typically associated with hierarchies presented
with more linear visual cues. This orientation towards brainstorming encourages
users to enumerate and connect concepts without a tendency to begin within a
particular conceptual framework.
Mind
mapping takes advantage of several aspects of how the brain processes
information. At its most basic, a mind map is similar to an outline in tree
form -- a tree turned on its side, using roots as well as branches, but still a
tree.
A
mind map starts at a central concept. Top-level sub-topics branch out from that
on either side, lower-level branches from those, and so on. With a paper mind
map, when we come to the edge of the page, we simply glue a new page to that
edge and continue
An effective mind
map makes use of different colors for each branch: This makes each main sub
topic stand out more, and assists the brain in processing the data. It's also
recommended that, where possible, a mind map should have pictures: "A
picture is worth a thousand words" may be a cliché, but it's true.
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1.1
CHARACTERISTICS OF MIND MAPPING
Mind
maps are, by definition, a graphical method of taking notes. The visual basis
of them helps one to distinguish words or ideas, often with colors and symbols.
They generally take a hierarchical or tree branch format, with ideas branching
into their subsections. Mind maps allow for greater creativity when recording
ideas and information, as well as allowing the note-taker to associate words
with visual representations. Mind maps and concept maps are different in that
mind maps focus on only one word or idea, whereas concept maps connect
multiple words or ideas.
3.2 THE BACKGROUND OF MIND
MAPPING
Mind
maps (or similar concepts) have been used for centuries in learning,
brainstorming, memory, visual thinking, and problem
solving by educators, engineers, psychologists, and others. Some of the earliest examples of mind maps
were developed by Porphyry of Tyros, a noted thinker of the 3rd
century, as he graphically visualized the concept categories of Aristotle.
Philosopher Ramon Lull (1235 - 1315) also used mind maps. (Mind
Mapping web site http://www.mind-map.com/ retrieved,
Jan2010).
The
semantic
network was developed in the late 1950s as a theory to understand
human learning and developed into mind maps by Allan M.
Collins and M. Ross Quillian during
the early 1960s. (Mind Maps - a powerful alternative to conventional note
taking. retrieved, Jan2010). Due to his commitment and published research, and
his work with learning, creativity, and graphical thinking, Collins can be
considered the father of the modern mind map. (Mind Maps - a powerful
alternative to conventional note taking. retrieved, Jan2010)
British
popular psychology author Tony Buzan
claims to have invented modern mind mapping. He claimed the idea was inspired
by Alfred Korzybski's general
semantics as popularized in science fiction novels, such as those of
Robert A. Heinlein and A. E. van
Vogt. (Mind Mapping web site http://www.mind-map.com/
retrieved, Jan2010).
Buzan
argues that while 'traditional' outlines force readers to scan left to right
and top to bottom, readers actually tend to scan the entire page in a
non-linear fashion. Buzan also uses popular assumptions about the cerebral hemispheres in order to promote
the exclusive use of mind mapping over other forms of note making The mind map
continues to be used in various forms, and for various applications including
learning and education (where it is often taught as 'Webs', 'Mind webs', or
'Webbing'), planning, and in engineering diagramming. (Mind Maps - a powerful
alternative to conventional note taking. retrieved, Jan2010).
When
compared with the concept map (which was developed by learning
experts in the 1970s) the structure of a mind map is a similar radial, but is
simplified by having one central key word. A mind map is often created around a
single word or text, placed in the center, to which associated ideas, words and
concepts are added.
Mind
maps have many applications in personal, family, educational,
and business
situations, including note taking, brainstorming (wherein ideas are inserted into
the map radically around the center node, without the implicit prioritization
that comes from hierarchy or sequential arrangements, and wherein grouping and
organizing is reserved for later stages), summarizing, revising, and general
clarifying of thoughts.
One could listen to a lecture, for example, and take down notes using mind maps
for the most important points or keywords. One can also use mind maps as a mnemonic technique or to sort out a complicated
idea. Mind maps are also promoted as a way to collaborate in color pen
creativity sessions.
Mind maps can be used for :
- Problem Solving
- Outline / Framework Design
- Anonymous collaboration.
- Marriage of words and visuals.
- Individual expression of creativity.
- Condensing material into a concise
and memorable format.
- Team building or synergy creating
activity.
- Enhancing work morale.
Mind maps can be
drawn by hand, either as 'rough notes' during a lecture or meeting, for
example, or can be more sophisticated in quality. Examples of both are
illustrated. There are also a number of software
packages available for producing mind maps.
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