A concept map or conceptual diagram is a diagram that depicts suggested relationships between concepts that represent ideas and information as boxes and circles with labeled arrows in a downward-branching hierarchical structure. It is a graphical tool that instructional designers, engineers, technical writers, and others use to organize and structure knowledge.
Original of Concept Map
Concept mapping was developed by Joseph D. Novak in the 1970s as a means of representing the emerging science knowledge of students. It has subsequently been used as a tool to increase meaningful learning in the sciences and other subjects as well as to represent the expert knowledge of individuals and teams in education, government and business. Concept maps have their origin in the learning movement called constructivism. In particular, constructivists hold that learners actively construct knowledge.
When to Use Concept Map
Concept maps are used to stimulate the generation of ideas and are believed to aid creativity. Such mapping is also sometimes used for brain-storming. Although they are often personalized and idiosyncratic, concept maps can be used to communicate complex ideas and we can use it for wide variety of areas, to just name a few:
- A road map represents the locations of highways and towns
- A circuit diagram represents the workings of an electrical appliance
- New knowledge creation: e.g., transforming tacit knowledge into an organizational resource, mapping team knowledge
- Note-taking and summarizing gleaning key concepts, their relationships, and hierarchy from documents and source materials
- Collaborative knowledge modeling and the transfer of expert knowledge
- Facilitating the creation of shared vision and shared understanding within a team or organization
Concept Map vs Topic Map vs Mind Map
Concept map can be a map, a system view, of a real (abstract) system or set of concepts. Concept maps are more free form, as multiple hubs and clusters can be created, unlike mind maps, which typically emerge from a single center.
Topic map – Concept maps are rather similar to topic maps in that both allow to connect concepts or topics via graphs.
Mind map reflects what you think about a single topic, which can focus on group brainstorming.
Create and Share Ideas with Concept Mapping?
Concept maps are visual representations of information that are especially useful for those who learn better visually. They are a powerful brainstorming strategy by starting with higher-level concepts and also help you chunk information based on meaningful connections. In other words, knowing the big picture makes details more significant and easier to remember. Concept maps work very well when it is important to see and understand the relationships between different things. They can also be used to analyze, compare and contract information.
Making and using concept maps
Making one is very simple and there is no right or wrong way to make a concept map. The one key step is to focus on the ways ideas are linked to each other. You try following the steps listed below:
- Identify a concept
- Starting from memory is an excellent way to assess what you already understand and what you need to review.
- Focus on how concepts are related to each other.
- Elaborate each part of the map add annotations or callout to clarify ideas in detail.
- List related examples, where applicable, for sections of the map.
Edit this Concept Map Template
Mapping your Ideas and innovation with Concept Maps
A Concept Map is a visual representation that shows the relationship between ideas, concepts, images, and other related information. It is a popular method used by brainstorming new ideas and innovation as it makes it easy for people to organize, structure and display the knowledge they have gained on a particular subject. Concept maps are often used as a way to develop logical thinking by revealing connections among these concepts to form a larger whole in an easy-to-understand and easy-to-remember structure.
How to Create a Concept Map
- Step 1: List key concepts/terms related to the topic
- Step 2: Elaborate and expand key concepts
- Step 3: Identify links between concepts
Elements of a Concept Map
- Nodes correspond to the concepts or important terms related to your topic(s).
- Labeled Link Lines identify the type of relationship. The line between a pair of concepts denotes a relationship, and the label on the line tells how the two concepts are related.
- Callouts or annotations and be used to elaborate your ideas in future details.
5 Steps for Creating a Concept Map
A concept map is a visual organization and representation of knowledge. It shows concepts and ideas and the relationships among them. You create a concept map by writing keywords (sometimes enclosed in shapes such as circles, boxes, triangles, etc.) and then drawing arrows between the ideas that are related. Then you add a short explanation by the arrow to explain how the concepts are related. You can follow the steps listed below for creating a concept map:
- Identify the general/broad topic that you are interested in.
- Brainstorm on the general topic and list all the concepts and themes that are related to the topic on a large piece of paper. Keep the concepts as concise as possible.
- Give a title for the main theme of the map.
- Identify the relationship between the concepts. You can use other organizational patterns such as branches, arrows or groups
- After the map has been created, look at the organizational patterns to see if the pieces fit together and make sense and if anything is missing.
Online Concept Mapping Software
Visual Paradigm Online allows you to visually depict a system of relationships by creating a map in which nodes represent ideas or facts, and lines or connectors between nodes represent relationships (for example, cause-and-effect relationships, category and sub-category relationships, and so on).
VP Online comes with a simple drag-and-drop editor that lets you build beautiful Concept Maps effortlessly. It is so intuitive that allows you to pay more attention to the design itself without spending a lot of time learning the software.
