While I will explore concept mapping software in future posts, here is an article on a low tech means of using concept mapping in the classroom. It's about how one teacher starting teaching his students about concept mapping using post-its. (If you are a science teacher, he also provides several other examples of the use of post-its in science lessons.) Check out figure 1 in the article. It's a concept map about...what else...concept maps!
http://libezproxy.syr.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=11596166&Fmt=6&clientId=3739&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Another simple example of creating concept maps is in the following You Tube video. It's only a couple of minutes long. The highlight in this video is about the importance of starting the map with the question you are trying to answer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWVLrmfYYMw&feature=related
Now let's switch to learning a bit more about my related topic - mind maps. Tony Buzan seems to be a self-proclaimed inventor of the idea of mind maps. He introduces the importance of using color, graphics, curved lines, and the appropriate length of word with the maps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlabrWv25qQ
Tony's final message: You too can be a genius if you use mind maps!
Let me know your thoughts.
