Concept Maps

These try to test what pupils know (without a lot of writing) and look at relationships between issues. They can be done before and after a topic or concept is taught.

This example was devised for use with an Earth Summit simulation (see Secondary Resources at wwflearning.co.uk). It shows a globe with concepts down the side (Me- Northern countries - Southern countries - Trade - Environment etc.). The teachers agreed what concepts they wanted to test. The pupils had to put the concepts onto the globe (in the blank circles) and then draw lines showing connections between the concepts.

This was done before and after the simulation. After, the pupils put in some concepts of their own and had far more connections between concepts, seeming to show that they realised relationships between issues were more complex and interconnected.

Related Links

http://www.graphic.org/concept.html
- Descriptions and examples. Useful site for a variety of teaching and learning approaches.
University Of West Florida
- Theory and examples of concept maps
http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/map_ho.html
- A Step by step explanation and uses of concept maps

Explanation of concept mapping and examples of software

A Concept map on the carbon cycle

Examples of Concept Maps from TeacherVision