Forging new generations of engineers

Concept Mapping

What is Concept Mapping?A concept map is a method to link related ideas graphically as a means of developing a fuller definition of a person, a term, or an idea (Novak, 1998).

Novak, J. D. (1998). Learning, creating, and using knowledge: Concept Maps as facilitative tools in schools and corporations. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

How do you build a concept map?

• Start with a focus question that addresses a problem, issue, or idea you wish to map

• Identify 10 to 20 concepts (no more than three words in length) that are important to the question and list them

• Rank order the concepts by placing the most inclusive idea at the top– It is helpful to focus on the essential question to help you

determine the rank order of the words– Sometimes this part of the process leads to a modification of

the focus question or writing a new focus question. • Work down the list and add new words as needed

Concept Map Building Continued:

• Begin to build your map by placing the most inclusive idea at the top– Usually only have one– May have two or three at the most at the top of the map

• Next select the two, three, or four sub-concepts to place under each general concept– Avoid placing more than four concepts under any other concept– If there are more, you generally can identify another term that

would fit as an intermediate idea• Connect the concepts by lines

– Use arrows, sometimes in both directions, to demonstrate a flow of thought

Concept Map Building Continued:

• Label the lines with one or a few linking words• The linking words should define the relationship between

the two concepts so that it reads as a valid statement• You should begin to see a structure of meaning for the

ideas you are linking• Rework the structure of your map, which may include

– Adding, subtracting, or changing concepts– Repeating the process several times– Learning new ideas and gaining new insights

Concept Map Building Continued:

• Look for cross links between concepts in different sections of the map and label these lines– Cross links help you see new, creative

relationships in your developing knowledge

• Specific examples may be added to the concept labels– Ford mustang is a specific type of car

Concept Map Building Continued:

• Concept maps may be developed into many different forms for the same set of concepts

• There is no one way to draw a concept map

• As your knowledge and understanding evolves, so will your concept maps

Sample Concept Map in Development – Stage One

Sample Concept Map in Development – Stage Two

Sample Concept Map in Development – Stage Three

Benefits of Concept Mapping

• Enables students and teachers to identify what a learner already knows along with misconceptions and helps them to anchor the learning of new concepts and principles

• Enables students to identify the key concepts and principles in activities, readings, and lectures

• Enables students to personally construct their vision of events and objects as they learn about them

• Enables students to transform their tacit knowledge into clear and concise explanations

For more information

Reference:

Novak, J. D. (1998). Learning, creating, and using knowledge: Concept Maps as facilitative tools in schools and corporations. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.