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WEEK 8 How To Create A Concept Map

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17 views

WEEK 8 How To Create A Concept Map

Uploaded by

berylellaguno
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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HOW TO MAKE A

CONCEPT PLAN
WHAT IS A CONCEPT MAP?

A concept map is a visual diagram


that connects different ideas and
concepts, like a mind map. It's great
for learning and remembering
because our brains understand
visuals better than just text. They're
used in education, engineering, and
business to help you organize
thoughts, explore topics deeply, and
show how ideas are related. Concept
maps make complex ideas clearer,
improve memory, and show the
overall picture by linking thoughts
and concepts together.
A concept map consists of several different features. Before you can
create a concept map, you need to know the meaning and purpose of
each feature.
Concepts: Technically called ‘nodes’, concepts are the central elements of your
concept map. You can use ovals, boxes, squares, or any fancy shapes to denote
ideas and concepts.

Links: Different concepts under one domain are linked using lines and arrows.

Cross-Links: Concepts under different domains are linked together using cross-
links. These are also usually depicted with lines or arrows.

Linking Words: Links and cross-links often have text written between or next to
them. These words or phrases describe the relationship between the concepts.
For example, linking words could be “includes,” “is part of” or “is caused by.”

Propositions: Also known as semantic units, propositions are meaningful


sentences with linking words and two or more concepts. A concept map
essentially visualizes multiple propositions surrounding a specific topic.

Hierarchical Structure: A good concept map follows a hierarchical structure


that helps to read the diagram from top to bottom. This means that broader and
more essential concepts are at the top, and the most specific ideas are at the
bottom.
A concept map that focuses on one
main issue: climate change.
Step 1: Identify the Focus Question
Choosing a topic for your concept map is more
important than you’d think.

If you pick a broad topic or multiple topics, you


might end up with a messy concept map with too
many shapes and lines. This defeats the purpose
of presenting information in an organized way.

You might already have a topic in mind for your


concept map, but you need to narrow it down to
the core concept — or focus question — to create
a diagram that’s easy to understand.

This focus question could be:


•A business problem
•A research question
•A social issue
Step 2: Jot Down the Related Ideas

Brainstorming and creating a list of ideas before you start designing is helpful. This will save time and give
you a clear direction of what you want your map to include.

Otherwise, you might end up wasting time thinking while drawing or feel the need to go back and
restructure your map over and over again.

Note that you might need to revisit this step at a later stage in case you miss something. But, for now, jot
down all the related ideas and concepts.

So, for example, if you’re creating a concept map on energy sources, you can roughly write down the
following ideas:
Step 3: Choose a Concept Mapping Tool

Now, it’s time to pick up your medium of choice and create a concept map
diagram using all the ideas and concepts you jotted down in the previous step.

You have two options:


•Draw a concept map on paper or a whiteboard
•Use an online concept mapping tool (e.g. Visme)

While you may prefer paper, working with it has some ugly downsides: your
handwriting might not be accessible to all (even yourself once you revisit the
visual representation), and you can’t share it easily with a remote team.

Your concept map will also see its natural death on a whiteboard as the ink
starts to dull. (We will pretend there’s no such thing as someone accidentally
erasing the content.)

An online concept mapping tool like Visme can help you collaborate with your
team to make the diagram in real time. You can easily save the final
visualization by downloading it or getting the embed link to feature it on your
website.
Step 4: Start Drawing
Your Concept Map

•Begin by adding your key


concept.
•Start with a hierarchical
structure, placing the key
concept at the top.
•Prepare a 'parking lot' for
your ideas before adding
and linking them.
•If using tools like Visme,
create a side area for your
parking lot.
Step 5: Link the Ideas Together

•Drag and drop ideas from parking lot to concept


map.

•Follow hierarchical structure: start with broader,


important concepts.

•Link ideas using lines or arrows; arrows clarify


direction and enhance understanding.
Step 6. Describe the Relationship

•Describe relationships between


concepts with linking words or
phrases.
•Use words like "Includes," "Part of,"
"Can be/cannot be," "Type of/form of,"
"Such as/for example," "Leads to."
•Keep text along connecting lines
short, ideally one or two words.
•This maintains clarity in the concept
map visualization.
Step 7: Revise the Concept Map as needed.

•Carefully scrutinize the concept map and look for


opportunities to improve and fine-tune it.
•Ask yourself the following questions when examining your
diagram:
• Are there any concepts that are too similar to each other?
• Can I group some ideas under a broader concept?
• Can I use a better word to describe this relationship?
• Do any of these ideas fit better under a different domain?
•Look for opportunities to add more cross-links to your
concept map.
•Rearrange some of your nodes if necessary.
•Fit any important ideas that you left out into your diagram.
Step 8: Customize Your
Concept Map Design

At this point, your concept


map is almost ready.

To finalize it, you might want


to customize its design to
match the rest of your visual
brand identity. This is
especially relevant for
businesses looking to create
concept maps to share with
their team or for marketing
purposes.
SUMMARY
Steps to Create a Concept Map: 5. Link the Ideas Together:
1.Identify the Focus Question: 1. Drag and drop ideas onto the map.
1. Choose a specific topic for the 2. Start with broader concepts and connect
concept map. them using arrows.
6. Describe the Relationships:
2.Jot Down Related Ideas:
3. Use short linking words or phrases to
1. Brainstorm and list ideas related to describe relationships.
the focus question. 4. Examples: Includes, Part of, Can be/cannot
2. Create a "parking lot" of ideas for be, etc.
reference. 7. Revise Your Concept Map as Needed:
3.Choose a Concept Mapping Tool: 5. Review and fine-tune the map for clarity and
1. Use an online tool like Visme for organization.
collaboration and customization. 6. Group similar concepts, add cross-links, and
4.Start Drawing Your Concept Map: ensure hierarchy.
8. Customize Your Concept Map Design:
1. Begin with the key concept at the
7. Customize the design to match your brand
top. identity.
2. If using Visme, create a parking lot of 8. Adjust colors, fonts, and add visuals for
ideas on the canvas. engagement.

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