This document discusses brainstorming and concept mapping techniques. It explains that brainstorming is an open-ended approach to exploring a topic by focusing on a problem and generating many possible solutions. Concept mapping creates a visual representation of relationships between concepts and ideas related to a topic. It involves taking initial ideas from brainstorming and organizing them hierarchically with a central topic and related subtopics connected with branches. The document provides examples and websites for learning more about brainstorming and creating different types of concept maps.

1. Brainstorming and Concept Maps

2. Brainstorming and Concept Mapping
Brainstorming is a way to approach a topic, and one
increasingly taught in college courses
It’s basis is an open-ended approach to finding your
way through a topic

3. Brainstorming
Brainstorming is more informal than a Concept Map
(we see that in a minute) but more ordered than a
group talking:

4. Brainstorming
Brainstorming works by focusing on a problem, and
then deliberately coming up with as many solutions
as possible and by pushing the ideas as far as
possible.
A reason it is so effective is that the brainstormers
not only come up with new ideas in a session, but
gain from associations with other people's ideas by
developing and refining them.
 http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/perform/brainstorm.html

5. Begin with Single Topic

6. Keep Developing Your Map
 Brainstorm ideas or issues or concepts
related to "pet therapy" and add them
to the map:
 Now add another layer of ideas related
to these

7. Keep adding keywords until you have relevant keywords
around each of your subtopics:
**from http://library.humboldt.edu/researchroadmap/topics/topic03a.html

8. Concept Maps
A concept map presents the relationships among a
set of connected concepts and ideas.
It is a tangible way to display how your mind sees a
particular topic. By constructing a concept map, you
reflect on what you know and what you don't know.
 http://www.udel.edu/chem/white/teaching/ConceptMap.html

9. Often by the time you get to the Concept Map, you
have gone through some initial brainstorming, and
your ideas have turned into keywords or subtopics,
and you have a more solid idea of how these relate to
each other:
 http://fromthedeskofalifelonglearner.blogspot.com/

10. Format for Concept Map [Spider]

11. Completed Concept Map (Spider)

12. Concept Map Types
Spider Map (The"spider"
concept map is organized by
placing the central theme or
unifying factor in the center of the
map. Outwardly radiating sub-themes
surround the center of the
map.
Hierachical (The hierarchy
concept map presents information
in a descending order of
importance. The most important
information is placed on the top.

13. Websites for Concept Mapping
Youtube video:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhgxuNvbNrA
Brainstorming:
 http://library.sonoma.edu/howdoi/researchtopic.php#
(look for the linked sign under 'Brainstorming' nice
overview of brainstorming process)
Colorful, simple explanation of Concept Maps:
 http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/BFarkas/files/mind%Nice Easy Explanation of Concept Maps:
 http://www.virtualcurriculum.com/N3225/ConceptMap2_nursing.