Development
Example concept map, created using IHMC CmapTools.
The technique of concept mapping was developed by Joseph D. Novak
at Cornell University in the 1970s, as a way to increase meaningful
learning in the sciences.
Concept maps have their origin in the learning movement called constructivism.
In particular, constructivists hold that prior knowledge is used as a framework
for understanding and learning new knowledge.
Novak`s work is based on the theories of David Ausubel ( assimilation theory),
who stressed the importance of prior knowledge in being able to learn new concepts.
- "The most important single factor influencing learning is what the learner
already knows. Ascertain this and teach accordingly."
In his book Learning to Learn, Novak states that "meaningful learning
involves the assimilation of new concepts and propositions into existing cognitive
structures."
Usage
Concept maps are used to stimulate the generation of ideas, and are believed
to aid creativity. For example, concept mapping is sometimes used for brain-storming.
Although they are often personalized and idiosyncratic, concept maps can be used
to communicate complex ideas.
Formalized concept maps are used in software design, where a common usage
is Unified Modeling Language diagramming amongst similar conventions and development
methodologies.
Concept mapping can also be seen as a first step in ontology-building, and
can also be used flexibly to represent formal argument.
Concept maps are widely used in education and business for:
- Note taking and summarizing gleaning key concepts, their relationships
and hierarchy from documents and source materials
- New knowledge creation: e.g., transforming tacit knowledge into an organizational
resource, mapping team knowledge
- Institutional knowledge preservation (retention), e.g, eliciting and mapping
expert knowledge of employees prior to retirement
- Collaborative knowledge modeling and the transfer of expert knowledge
- Facilitating the creation of shared vision and shared understanding within
a team or organization
- Instructional design: concept maps used as Ausubelian "advance organizers"
which provide an initial conceptual frame for subsequent information and learning.
- Training: concept maps used as Ausubelian "advanced organizers" to represent
the training context and its relationship to their jobs, to the organization`s
strategic objectives, to training goals.
- Increasing meaningful learning:
- Communicating complex ideas and arguments:
- Examining the symmetry of complex ideas and arguments and associated terminology:
- Detailing the entire structure of an idea, train of thought, or line of
argument (with the specific goal of exposing faults, errors, or gaps in one`s
own reasoning) for the scrutiny of others.
- Enhancing metacognition (learning to learn, and thinking about knowledge)
- Improving language ability
Contrast with mind mapping
Concept mapping can be contrasted with the similar idea of idea mapping.
The latter is often restricted to radial hierarchies and tree structures.
Among the various schema and techniques for visualizing ideas, processes, organisations,
concept mapping, as developed by Novak is unique in philosophical basis, which "makes
concepts, and propositions composed of concepts, the central elements in the structure
of knowledge and construction of meaning."
There is research evidence that knowledge stored in the brain is hierarchical,
with propositions as the core building blocks. Because concept maps are constructed
to reflect these organizational elements of knowledge, they facilitate sense-making
and meaningful learning on the part of individuals who make concept maps and those
who use them.
Concept maps were developed to enhance meaningful learning in the sciences. A
well made concept map grows within a context frame defined by an explicit
"focus question," while a mind map has branches radiating out from a central picture.
Another contrast between Concept mapping and Mind mapping is the speed and spontaneity
when a Mind map is created. A Mind map reflects what you think. A Concept map is
supposed to be a map, a system view, of a real (abstract) system or set of concepts.
It can take a lot more discussion to reach agreement about a Concept map, than about
a Mind map.
Empirical evidence
Decades of empirical and qualitative research has verified the efficacy of concept
maps for the tasks mentioned above.
Concept mapping software
- Software for information organisation A very complete list of mind mapping/concept
mapping software.
Freely available software
There are several good freely available pieces of software that allow the creation
of concept maps.
- IHMC CmapTools is a multiplatform freeware
- Compendium is a freeware concept mapper with database backend, written
in Java
- Conzilla is a GNU GPL-licenced concept mapper written in Java
- VUE is a desktop concept mapping tool developed under a grant from the
Mellon Foundation. Written in Java, it runs on a variety of platforms.
Proprietary software
There are many pieces of proprietary software (in alphabetical order) that
allow the creation of concept maps.
- 3D Topicscape takes mind mapping and concept mapping into 3D with flying
and zooming.
- Aibase maps combine colorful trees, concept maps, tables and more.
- Axon Idea Processor is a Windows program developed in Prolog.
- ConceptDraw is cross-platform software
- Concept Systems Global Sophisticated online group concept mapping, collaboration,
and consensus development.
- let`s focus Concept mapping and general diagramming, as well as visual
metaphors and knowledge maps
- First Diagramming Concept mapping (and general diagramming) for Windows
Mobile and SmartPhone devices
- Inspiration Software develops and publishes visual learning tools used
for concept mapping, diagramming and webbing. .
- Strategic Transitions: (Higher education TOC templates)
- PAUX PAUX is software to develop, manage and publicize dynamic individualized
content by linking reusable semantic content objects semantically.
These objects are to make knowledge available as filterable content
for websites, Semantic Wiki, detailed- evaluated eLearning and individualized
print media. The data model is a multi dimensional concept map.
- MyMind is another Mac-OS-X-based concept/mind mapping tool.
- Nelements KOS 3d concept mapping tool.
- OmniGraffle is a Mac-OS-X-based concept mapper.
- Semantica is a Java-based concept mapping tool.
- SMART Ideas Software adds depth to visual learning with multilevel concept
maps.
- Thinking with Pictures is commercial highly visual model mapping software
for children running on MS Windows.
Notes
^ (Ausubel, D. (1968) Educational Psychology: A Cognitive View. Holt,
Rinehart & Winston, New York).
^ Novak, J.D. & Gowin, D.B. (1996).
Learning How To Learn, Cambridge University Press: New York, p. 7.
See also
- Cognitive map
- Conceptual graphs
- List of concept mapping software
- Mind map
- Knowledge visualization
- Object role modeling
- Semantic network
- Semantic web
- Topic map
- Educational psychology
- Educational technology
- Morphological analysis
External links
- Directory of Mindmaps, Concept maps and more - A directory containing
hundreds of mindmaps and concept maps on the Internet
- Concept Systems Inc. - Provider of concept mapping services and software
- Concept Mapping Website
- Free Concept Mapping Resources to help teachers introduce young children
to the ideas of Concept Mapping.
- Concept Map for Comedy Writing
- Wiki dedicated to conceptmapping
- Concept Mapping Homepage by Jan Lanzing
- "The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How To Construct Them", Joseph
D. Novak, Cornell University
- Italian Site on the Concept Mapping use in the school, by Marco Guastavigna
- For more information see the WikEd version of Concept mapping:
- Advance organizers
- Concept Mapping at the Graphic Organizer
- Sewcom method - Using concept Maps to search the Web
- Institute for Human and Machine Cognition - Free Concept Map Tool
- My Mind Map Mind Map Templates for download