Concept Maps: Types, uses, software

Concept maps: types, use, software Nadia Spang Bovey, Faculté des Lettres - RISET

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Introduction: information visualization

Why represent knowledge?

Building the concept map: basics (25 min.)

Practicalities: identifying a suitable software (20 min.)

1 – Information visualization

Types of visual representations

Data

Information

Concepts, ideas

Strategy

Metaphor

Compound

PROCESS STRUCTURE

Types of maps

Overview : Ref: www.visual-literacy.org

Project USI/St-Gallen/Geneva/Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz

Vocabulary… Concept map Knowledge map Semantic network Domain map Causation map Mindmap Decision tree Argument map System map Flow chart

2 – Why represent knowledge? A highly individual decision

Use in teaching and research

Identifying relationships between concept makes learning meaningful

Facilitates understanding, retention and recall

Knowledge and reasoning are better structured

Knowledge is processed and actively revised

Provides cognitive amplification by filtering

Allows for reflexive thinking, self-dialogue and creative associations

Stimulates the exploration/resolution of cognitive conflicts

Contexts of use

Delivered by teacher

presentation

summary

organisation

…

Constructed by student(s)

taking notes

comparison with peers

organisation

revising

…

For one’s own work

identifying ideas and processes

summary of previous knowledge

organisation of documentation

sharing and collaborating

…

Are you regularly drawing concept maps ? What for ? Will someone give an example ?

3 - Building the concept map A highly individual process

Choice I: Segmentation is called a proposition LINK (nature of relationship) can be color coded A concept map = a series of propositions NODE (concept) (idea) = word (s) can be color or form coded NODE (concept) (idea) = word (s) can be color or form coded this

Choice II - Coding

http://savonlinnakampus.joensuu.fi/ahlberg/index.htm

Choice III: Hierarchy Tree form (central concept, clusters) Free form (network, system)

How to make concept mapping a fruitful exercise

Students need to produce maps; the more they do it, the better they’ll understand the process.

Begin with a simple topic , using a small number of concepts.

Work through example(s) with the group, modifying the map where necessary.

Emphasize the importance of thinking about all possible links.

Emphasize the importance of writing down the nature of the links.

Emphasize that there is no single “correct” answer ; often more than one appropriate link.

Emphasize the importance of using arrows and their direction in describing the proposition.

From http://www.fed.cuhk.edu.hk/~johnson/misconceptions/ce/learn/concept_map.htm

4 - Practicalities Information Design Taxonomy - KARABEG D, GUESCINI R., “Polyscopic Topic Maps-based Flexible and Exploratory Learning, in IPSI TRANSACTIONS ON ADVANCED RESEARCH, Vol 1, No 2, FALL 2005 , p 6

How many of you use… MindManager or FreeMind ? Inspiration ? CMapTools ? PersonalBrain ? Compendium ? Other software ?

Types of software Concept map editor Mindmapping software Information organizer Presentation software Diagram and concept maps online tool Which one ?

Concept map editors

A concept map editor , like

[Commercial] Inspiration ( http://www.inspiration.com/ )

[multiplatform freeware] CmapTools ( http:// cmap.ihmc.us / )

Compendium ( http:// www.compendiuminstitute.org / )

Vue ( http:// vue.uit.tufts.edu / )

[GNU GPL-licenced] Conzilla ( http:// www.conzilla.org / ) in Java

Inspiration 8

CMapTools

Compendium

VUE

Online tools

Online diagram and concept mapping tools , like

Gliffy (www.gliffy.com),

Mind42 ( http://www.mind42.com/ )

Comapping ( http:// comapping.com / )

Mindomo ( http:// www.mindomo.com / )

ExploraTree ( http:// www.exploratree.org.uk / )

FlowChart ( http:// www.flowchart.com / )

MindMeister ( http:// www.mindmeister.com / )

http://www.gliffy.com/publish/1044845/L Gliffy online

Mind mapping software

Freeware , like

FreeMind ( http:// freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page ) Thinkgraph ( http:// www.thinkgraph.com ) VYM - View Your Mind ( http://www.insilmaril.de/vym ) or Kdissert ( http://freehackers.org/~tnagy/kdissert/ ) [Linux only]