Concept Mapping

NRSR 21 Foundations of Nursing and Nursing Practice Assistant Associate Professor D.Clifton

What is concept mapping??

Study technique that provides meaningful learning
Links new information to existing knowledge Use new learning to build knowledge framework Beneficial for a deeper understanding of content and long term retention

Method of learning about a particular topic

Explores all the factors associated with a topic

Relational learning process

A way to examine how those factors relate to the main concept and to each other.

Promotes development of critical thinking

Thinking about your thinking while you are thinking

Basic Guidelines
Central concept and sub-concepts that flow from the central concept
In the manner that makes the most sense to the creator of the map and Enhances the visual display in an understandable way - (can be hierarchal) There is no single way to design a concept map it is unique to creator(s).

How to develop a concept map

Step
Step one Step two Step three Step four Step five Step six Identify the main concept List all factors or sub-concepts related to the main concept Categorize the sub-concepts based on commonalities Place sub-concepts on the map Draw lines that connect related sub-concepts to main topic Draw lines that connect related sub-concepts Activity

Step seven Add words to the lines that help explain the relationship

Components of a concept map

Concepts
Central concept and sub-concepts

Legend
Identify the meaning of the colors or shapes used to distinguish categories of concepts (data) so the map is visually organized

Layout
Can be hierarchal or any shape Lines/arrows can be unidirectional or bi-directional but are essential to identify the relationships among/between concepts Dashed lines can be used to represent possible relationships

Lets build a concept map

Studying as the main topic

List factors/concepts associated with studying

Group common factors together Use these factors to develop a concept map
Use shapes or colors distinguish between main concepts, sub-concepts, and finer discriminations. Link or connect related topics to the main topic and use a few words on the connecting lines to describe the relationship Link or connect sub topics to each other and write a few words on those lines as well

Shapes, styles and colors

What to use to create

Paper

Boards
Display or poster

Markers

Sticky notes
Pictures Computer
Internet Word Processors

Examples that show visual categorizing of sub-concepts

C:\Users\Debbie\Documents\Sierra\Concept Maps\Vital Signs 1.pdf C:\Users\Debbie\Documents\Sierra\Concept Maps\Vital signs 2.pdf C:\Users\Debbie\Documents\Sierra\Concept Maps\Vital signs 3.pdf C:\Users\Debbie\Documents\Sierra\Concept Maps\Student Map.pdf