Concept Maps Why use them & How to Construct them

Concept Maps Graphical Tools Organizing & Representing Knowledge Consist of: Concepts Circles or Boxes Relationships between concepts Line connecting concepts Linking words or phrases describing relationship Propositions Two or more concepts connected using linking words

Graphical Tools

Organizing & Representing Knowledge

Consist of:

Concepts

Circles or Boxes

Relationships between concepts

Line connecting concepts

Linking words or phrases describing relationship

Propositions

Two or more concepts connected using linking words

Concept Map Example

Concept Map Structure Hierarchically structured More General Concepts at the Top More Specific, less general at the Bottom Cross-Links Shows how different concepts are related to each other Learning Theories Hierarchical Structures Places new knowledge in a framework Progressive Differentiation As understanding increases More concepts, ideas (deeper) Integrative Reconciliation Interrelationships discovered between concepts

Structure

Hierarchically structured

More General Concepts at the Top

More Specific, less general at the Bottom

Cross-Links

Shows how different concepts are related to each other

Learning Theories

Hierarchical Structures

Places new knowledge in a framework

Progressive Differentiation

As understanding increases

More concepts, ideas (deeper)

Integrative Reconciliation

Interrelationships discovered between concepts

Another Concept Map Example

Psychological Foundations Discovery Learning Up to 3 years of age Match words with patterns in events and objects Reception Learning New meaning is acquired by asking questions to clarify relationships between old conceptions and new conceptions Meaningful Learning Material must be conceptually clear Learner must possess relevant prior knowledge Learner must choose to learn meaningfully

Discovery Learning

Up to 3 years of age

Match words with patterns in events and objects

Reception Learning

New meaning is acquired by asking questions to clarify relationships between old conceptions and new conceptions

Meaningful Learning

Material must be conceptually clear

Learner must possess relevant prior knowledge

Learner must choose to learn meaningfully

Learning and Memory Complex set of interrelated systems Short-Term Memory Working Memory Long-Term Memory Motor System Affective System Inputs (material to be learned) Processed in Working Memory Interacts with Knowledge in Long-term Memory

Complex set of interrelated systems

Short-Term Memory

Working Memory

Long-Term Memory

Motor System

Affective System

Inputs (material to be learned)

Processed in Working Memory

Interacts with Knowledge in Long-term Memory

Working Memory Process only 5 – 9 units of information at a time Relationships between 2 – 3 concepts are at the limit of our Working Memory Concept Maps help to extend Working Memory

Process only 5 – 9 units of information at a time

Relationships between 2 – 3 concepts are at the limit of our Working Memory

Concept Maps help to extend Working Memory

New Knowledge Creation A Constructive Process Students Actively Construct their Own Knowledge

A Constructive Process

Students Actively Construct their Own Knowledge

How To Construct a Concept Map Constructing a Concept Map

Constructing a Concept Map

Concept Mapping Program CmapTools Knowledge Modeling Kit Downloaded at: http://cmap.ihmc.us/download/ Or WebCT CmapTools

CmapTools Knowledge Modeling Kit

Downloaded at: http://cmap.ihmc.us/download/

Or WebCT CmapTools

An Accounting Concept Map