1. Kate Corwin
CONCEPT MAPPING

2. • Concept maps were first developed in 1972 (2)
• Joseph D. Novak’s research program at Cornell University developed
concept maps to understand changes in children’s knowledge of science.
(2)
• The program is based on the learning psychology of David Ausubel. (2)
• The fundamental idea is Ausubel’s psychology states that learning takes
place by assimilation of new concepts into existing concepts and
propositional frameworks held by the learner. (cognitive structure) (2)
ORIGIN OF CONCEPT MAPS

3. CONTENT
Mathematics Reading Comprehension Science
Concept Maps can be integrated into every content area
They can also be used in a range of different grade levels –
From elementary school to graduate school.

4. • The student must be very familiar with the domain of knowledge before
they begin constructing a concept map (1)
• Since concept maps are based on the context in which they will be used, it
is important to determine what the person is trying to understand –
identify a segment of text, use a field activity or laboratory, etc. (1)
• A good way to define the context is to construct a focus question – a
problem or issue that the concept map should help resolve. (1)
• Concept maps can be used to show relationships between subjects. For
example, if the student is creating a concept map on “perimeter,” it would
be easy to link to practical uses (when might a person use perimeter?)
• Concept maps can be used a powerful tool to capture, represent, and
archive knowledge. (1)
CONSTRUCTING GOOD CONCEPT
MAPS

5. 1. “Novak, J. D. & A. J. Cañas, The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and
How to Construct Them, Technical Report IHMC CmapTools 2006-01
Rev 01-2008, Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, 2008",
available at:
http://cmap.ihmc.us/Publications/ResearchPapers/TheoryUnderlyingCo
nceptMaps.pdf.
2. “Novak, J. D. & A. J. Cañas, The Origin and Development of Concept
Maps, Technical Report IHMC CmapTools 2006-01 Rev 01-2008, Florida
Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, 2008", available at:
http://cmap.ihmc.us/docs/Origins.html
RESOURCES