What is a concept map?

Concept maps are often confused with mind maps. In fact, they pre–date mind maps by nearly a decade, having been invented in the States by professor Joseph Novak in the 1960s. But don’t let that date put you off. They’re not a vague, hippy, new age ‘brain–tool’. Just the opposite. They’re a rigorous and demanding representation of knowledge. And don’t let that term put you off either.

In concept maps elements of a topic are broken down and connected to show their relationships. That’s achieved by forming, in effect, simple sentences between the elements. Take the concept map below on thinking. The term ‘thinking’ is one of that concept map’s elements. It directly relates to three other elements. An arrow connects each element. Significantly, each arrow has a word on it that represents the nature of those connections. In the case of the element ‘questions’ it’s the verb phrase ‘is shaped by’. Because of this verb link, a sentence with a simple ‘subject–verb–object’ structure emerges that explains the relationship: ‘thinking is shaped by questions’. 

These simple sentences form the basic building block of a concept map. Their use is unique among graphic organisers. While all graphic organisers combine graphics with words, concept maps do it to an advanced degree. The benefit is that conceptual understanding is helped for those who need a diagram nearer usual sentences.

The easiest way to create a concept map is with sticky notes. Get your students to write keywords of all the elements related to a topic. It’s a bit of a brainstorm and so might need editing down. Once a final list is arrived at, the sticky notes are arranged as pairs. This will involve much moving around of notes with accompanying discussion. And very probably will be the most significant aspect in terms of learning activity.

The pairs of notes are then arranged in a top down conceptual hierarchy. Again learning conversations will happen. This is intensified as verbs are chosen to link the notes and define their conceptual relationships. When completed, the concept map can be recorded with pencil or computer using software such as Thinking With Pictures from Logotron

Download an A4 high res pdf of this graphic