ECI-511

Concept Mapping

Description:

A concept map is a special form of a web diagram for exploring knowledge and gathering and sharing information.  They are also used to develop an understanding of given information.  It is an extremely useful tool in the classroom.  The teachers can actually see if the students understand key concepts.  Teachers can use concepts maps to learn the students? prior knowledge and they process information.  Concept maps look like a big web connecting different ideas.  Students are now able to complete concept maps using computer software.  Most concept maps software are free to educators and can simple be downloaded to the computer.  The students are able to use the mouse to move the circles/nods around and connect each concept to the correct term.  Then students are required to explain the relationship between the two terms.  This ensures to the teacher that the students understand and are obtaining the needed knowledge.

Key Findings:

Concepts maps enable the students to control their own learning.  In Royer article, a teacher argued that there was no one right way of designing a concept map.   The students were just required to relate the correct terms to the different concepts.  Royer also stated, ?if used properly concept mapping activities can engage students in learning.?  The articles focused on using handhelds, but concept maps can also be used on computer, laptops, and even tablet pcs.  The article also pointed an important fact, that concept maps should not considered only graphic organizers?remember the students are required to link related terms. 

I am astonished that I did not know about concept mapping before this class.  I sometimes use thinking maps or graphic organizer but never thought about using concept maps. Concept mapping really helped me understand the articles and see the relationship between the terms.  It also ensured that I was learning the information?I was forced to think.  Many times student will fill in a graphic organizer without thinking.  They will look for subheadings in their readings and think they are the correct answers.  I think concept mapping will become a fun tool for the students because they love using anything with technology.  They hate the standard lecturing and note taking.  If they were given the opportunity to use this software, I know their reading level and comprehension would increase.

Integration:

I can see myself using concept maps in both my Civics and Economics and African American classes.  Civics is an required EOC class and the students have to learn over 300 terms in a semester.  Concept mapping would extremely be helpful for them because they are not only memorizing the terms but will also be able to apply it to different concepts?which is how the EOC is made. 

I can see myself using concept mapping during my primary sources reading in my African American History class.  I require my students to read various slave narratives and other primary sources.  At times that do not understand the readings but hopefully through the usage of concept mapping?it will make it easier for them.

Posted at 08:54PM Jun 19, 2006 by BERRY, LATOYA in General  |  Comments[0]