Example of Concept Map

Introduction

Using diagrams to pass messages, concepts, or ideas requires in-depth knowledge about information. A concept map uses diagrams to teach or convey a message to people or an audience.

A concept map could be used as a teaching aid. It is used to teach people who learn better with images but it is also a good method of teaching any learner. The concept map could be designed in any way as there is no one specific way to use a concept map.

It can also be used as an effective study strategy because it can help one break down points, show relationships between ideas and even present the differences between various ideas. A concept map is a great effective study tool.

What is a Concept Map?

The concept map is usually a visual representation of a concept or a whole idea. It gives people information about something. The concept map is always used when an idea happens to be complex and cumbersome. Putting information on a concept map makes for easy and quick comprehension of a said idea.

Concept maps can come in different forms, taking the shape of a Venn diagram, pie chart, flow or T charts, timelines, graphic organizers, and tables. Concept maps enable the consumption of a large chunk of information. Concept maps also make the exhibition of an idea with too many links easy to digest.

In the teaching field, it is said that learners learn better with images and tend to recall faster and better when images are used as visual aids. A concept map does a great deal in the assimilation of ideas. Just as the above-listed images are used, a concept map shows how things are related or intertwined.

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How to Make a Concept Map

Preparing a concept map can be easy when an idea or a concept is fully known. There is no one way to make it. One can design a concept map as desired, as long as it conveys the intended information and contains all that needs to be passed across.

One can never go wrong with a concept map. However, an important thing to note is that one must be able to link ideas together to show the relationship between the ideas represented. An easy step to consider when making a concept map is as follows.

Guide to Concept map creation

• Spot an idea or a concept: Know exactly what messages you want your map to depict or convey. Write them out and identify the important points.
• One rule of teaching is going from the known to the unknown. To inscribe an idea on a concept map, you must use images you and your expected audience can easily relate to, simple lines with words stating your ideas.
• Make do with any other visual tool that will aid your conveyance.
• Ensure to indicate the relationship between the different ideas in a concept, as that is exactly what breaks down a concept.

Example of a Concept Map

The concept map can take any shape as a message carrier decides to. So long as a concept is passed. One can choose to use images as in boxes and arrows in between them, showing relationships or the link between different ideas. It is usually used when a process has to be shown in visuals.

Another simple way of drawing a concept map is by using circles, illustrating with these circles and showing the similarities and contrasts between the different ideas, just as a Venn diagram tries to present. It can show an intersection between two things or ideas.

Using outlines is another way of making a concept map and teaching or telling about a concept. Outlining is stating important points using different colours to state differences.

Conclusion

Concept maps are an easy way of conveying messages; they can be called teaching aids, as it uses images. It can equally be a very effective study tool. It can help recall important points when studying a concept or complex course with too many ideas.