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The concept map |
K.E. Brashier |
A concept map demonstrates meaningful relationships between concepts through the use of propositions. A concept is a noun or mental image, and a proposition is two or more concepts linked by words in a phrase or thought. The linking shows how the concepts are related.
There is no single correct way to develop a concept map. Conversely, concept maps are meant to be rearranged and redrawn. Your first attempt will certainly have gaps and flaws and can be improved. As new information is obtained, new insights of relationships may occur to you.
Here are some tips about common strategies for constructing a concept map:
1. Identify words or series of words representing key concepts. It is convenient to write these words on "Post-it Notes" until the map takes final shape.
2. Rearrange the words (notes) in hierarchies of importance, with more general concepts at the top. The concepts should get increasingly more specific toward the bottom of the map. (Some maps are constructed so that the most general concepts are on the edges and the most specific at the center, or vice versa.)
3. Then draw lines between related concepts, and write a word or phrase that establishes the link between the connected concepts above each line (referred to as propositional linkages).
4. Crosslinks can then be constructed -- these are connections between concepts in different map areas.
The above is adapted from Duch, Groh and Allen, The power of problem-based learning, 191-192. Let me now add a couple extra notes from my own experience:
5. Don’t go wild. It’s better to have a limited number of components and a limited number of arrows with the basic structure of the argument rather than hundreds of circles and hundreds of arrows.
6. If you want to create a concept map via computer, there is a relatively easy and free program at http://freemind.sourceforge.net/
7. You might note the quality of the lines or arrows connecting up the components – Does X cause Y? Does X run in tandem with Y? Does X allow Y to happen?
8. Give references for your components (e.g. Analects 2.4; Zhongyong 16) so we can look them up in conference.
I intend this exercise as not just a means of exploring the texts but also a way of learning a pedagogical tool you can use for your papers and thoughts in this and other courses. It even works for senior thesis.