Concept Mapping
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"The three-step strategy begins with the teacher instructing about a concept with an emphasis on central ideas rather than details. Students then created a concept map, or a geographical representation of a conceptual structure. They begin by choosing a focus questions, with teacher support as needed. Then they determine the most salient points of the concept, which requires analyzing themes and interrelationships of subordinated concepts and synthesizing information within the concept at large. After using technologies to input these points into the map, students create cross-links between concepts in different areas of the map. The teacher models as needed to support students through gaining all competencies necessary to complete the steps on their own." Bold School, Kieschnick, p. 125
Concept Mapping versus Graphic Organizers
Concept Mapping is a STRATEGY and Graphic Organizers are a TOOL. This strategy is highly effective when kids create the construct for the concept map. You can scaffold students by giving a variety of graphic organizers to choose from.
Quick Tips:
Let students create their own ways of organizing information.
Leverage technology so that students have more freedom to map their understanding.
Concept mapping is a 3 step process.
Start with a main idea, topic or issue ie start with a focus question
Determine the key concepts.
Connect concepts by using linking phrases and words.
Instrcutional Technology Tools:
Google Drawings
Google Slides
Screencastify
Additional Resources:
Video
Steps for implementing a concept map (U of G Library, 2017).
Resource
Concept map in action (Concept Map, n.d.).
Concepts Maps-Why, How, Examples (Reading Rockets-Concept Maps, n.d.)