Concept maps are a graphical tool that is used to visualize meaningful relationships among concepts. It’s used as a knowledge representation tool, meaning they represent the knowledge structure that we humans store in our minds about a certain topic. Both simple and complex concept maps consist of two things: concepts and relationships among them
Origin of Concept Maps
Concept maps were the outcome of a research done in the 1970s at Cornell University by Joseph Novak
- In order to study how children understand basic science concepts, they studied and interviewed many children
- However, they found it difficult to identify the changes in the ways children understood science concepts with the detailed interview transcripts alone
- The need to find a better solution to represent children’s conceptual understanding led to the development of the concept map
Concept maps are based on Ausubel’s Assimilation theory
New knowledge can be learned effectively by linking it to what is already known
- Concept maps help generate new ideas and add structure to your thoughts
- Explore connections between concepts to better understand them with Creately.
Connect the Concepts
Identify the direct connections between concepts
Concept Maps in Business
By design, concept maps are apt for business analysis
Hierarchical Structure
Usually, concept maps are organized hierarchically
- The most general and inclusive concepts are placed at the top of the map. Those that are more specific are positioned below them
- However, the structure of a concept map is not limited to this structure, it could take a free-form approach too – starting from the center and spreading outwards
Concept Maps in Qualitative Research
Used as a methodical research strategy
Propositional Structure
A concept map illustrates a set of meaningful propositions about a topic
- Every two concepts (in some cases more than two,) along with the linking phrases, form a meaningful sentence, otherwise known as a proposition
- For example, in the following concept map, the concepts “Relationships” and “Connectors and linking words” are connected by the linking phrase “Are represented by”. When connected, this forms the proposition “Relationships are represented by connectors and connecting words”.
Step 3: Start to Draw the Map
It’s recommended to start a concept map from the top and develop it downward, although you can put down your topic at the center and expand it outwards.
Feed Back on the Comprehensive Concept Map Tutorial
Everything you need to know when it comes to concept map diagrams
- Start with the Creately Concept Map Maker
- Feel free to leave your feedback and suggestions in the comments section.
- If you are not familiar with concept mapping, try and learn from the examples in this tutorial.
Nodes
These are the circles or boxes that are used to represent a concept or an idea.
- Variation in size according to their hierarchy on the map (e.g., more general nodes at the top of the map may be bigger than the more specific nodes that follow them).
Editable Concept Map Examples and Templates
Some concept map diagram templates you can edit right away on Creately
Concept Maps in Education
In the field of education, concept maps are used as both a learning tool and an evaluation tool to assess student learning
- Foster meaningful learning by helping create connections between what students already know and new knowledge they acquire
- Organize knowledge around a subject for quick analysis
- Assess students’ understanding to see where their knowledge needs improvement
- Conduct effective brainstorming around a topic
- Present complex concepts in an easily digestible way
- Help identify valid and invalid ideas held by students
- Promote creative and critical thinking among students
