Thank you to everyone in the Visual Intensive Learning group for a thorough overview of concept mapping! I first encountered mind mapping in my teacher training seminar several years ago and could not really understand the advantage, since the idea seemed a bit unruly for me. Having used them more recently, though, I’m appreciating them […]
Continue reading Mind Maps Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Thank you, I enjoyed reading the material and collaborating on cacoo. This led to explore further. We were using terms such as mind maps and concept maps interchangeably, and I started to wonder what the difference was. I really liked the inspiration site that described some of the different visualisation formats and differentiated betwen mind […]
Continue reading Mind maps versus concepts maps Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
First off, thank you to the group for putting together a great presentation. I throughly enjoyed the readings and the activities that were selected. Concept Mapping in the classroom definitely has a purpose for all types of learners, but I believe that in order for this tool to be utilized to its full potential, students still should understand what it […]
Continue reading Concept Mapping and Education Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hi Jon,
I have also enjoyed this week’s presentation! The concept maps are phenomenal!
I think you make an excellent point about the need for our learners to be able to take notes effectively. I find that my students have their own individual style of notetaking and the style will vary depending on whether learners are visual, verbal, aural, logical, physical, etc. Their learning style will also determine whether they are social learners with a tendency to collaborate with learning technologies such as cmaps or whether they are more solitary learners with a tendency to figure things out on their own. Perhaps our job is to simply help them figure out what works best for them!
Danielle
Jon: I appreciate that point that you made with regards to access to technology. Perhaps one could include it at a potential “Pain Point”. Therefore I propose that the teacher could use such a tool to accommodate the visual learners during class-wide brainstorming activities. An open-source program that includes outline views as well to help to scaffold students throughout the process. Ultimately as you said, another tool to add to their learning utility belts!
Dani
I have been interested in the application of concept mapping (since ‘mind mapping’ is a trademark name) to learning for some time. I have worked with students using Kidspiration and Inspiration, as well as Smart Ideas.(The websites for these tools provide lots of educational information.) Students take to this tool/technique of organizing their tasks quickly […]
Continue reading Minds On…. mapping Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hello,
Thanks for providing this list. It will be very useful and I will keep it tucked away when I have more time to explore mind map tools later this summer.
I absolutely agree that for a mind map to work it needs to connect the learner with content in an engaging way. You say that maps need to make sense to the learner, not the viewer. However, when making collective maps this may become an issue, for what may appear to be an ‘engaging way’ to one creator, may not be perceived in the same way by other creators. Also, when creating a mind map as a teaching tool, it is difficult to create one that will appear engaging to everyone. I do agree that there are basic rules to follow nonetheless. Maps need to be concise and clear, various themes or categories identified in different colours, and interesting symbols or pictures used (sparingly) to guide or emphasize points, making it easier to follow links.
Marie-France
Hi Group 5: I enjoyed your presentation on mind mapping software. I’ve always thought of concept maps as learning tools but you’ve used it quite effectively as a teaching tool. As a science teacher, I would rate concept mapping as one of my top educational tools to engage students in deeper thinking and metacognition. I’ve […]
Continue reading My experience with mind mapping Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hi Tim,
Thank you for sharing your experience with mind mapping with us! As you have said, mind mapping is a great tool to pull ideas together and organize thoughts. It might be a bit weird of an analogy but it reminds me somewhat of the pensieve in Harry Potter (the instrument used to review memory) as it does have the advantage of letting you see your past thoughts at a glance and hence make easier connections that way.
It is interesting that you mentioned a map comparison function for computer generated maps. How do you envision this would look like? I am interested because when I read that comment, I was trying to imagine a way of doing it. The only way I could think of that would work is that the mind map would have rigid structure to allow for easy comparison that the computer would recognize. The different versions must share some commonalities, such as wording, for the computer to be able to sort the nodes and compare them effectively. Am I understanding what you proposed correctly? This could possibly be the next venture in mind mapping 🙂
Sherman
Hi Sherman:
Yes, the versions would need some commonality but not necessarily as rigid as you imply. I think two ways that this could be done would be to use tags consisting of related words; possibly smart-tag suggestions from a database in the program as the mind map is being created. Another way would be to simply compare the maps to a database containing synonyms and other related words to see if similar connections are being made. With a growing ability in computer analytics, I should think this to be possible.
Tim
Hi Tim,
I have used mind maps/webs in very similar manners to those you described. I appreciated your distinction between using them for learning and for teaching. I think this is the first time I have seen them used as instructional tools, rather than as formative assessment tools. I hadn’t formally made that connection until you mentioned it. Thanks!
Janet
Before you publish your posting, please make sure that you select a category (eg. Introductions) as well as assign some meaningful tags (keywords).
dubiend 7:45 pm on July 6, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Denise,
These are great references! It’s always good to learn how to best use communication techniques.
To address your point about the learning styles, I found an article that said the same about visual and auditory learners. There was no link between the preferred learning style and outcomes.
The author also stated that, “The data suggest that giving students the option to choose their favorite format can even be counterproductive because it might lead them to selecting a format that is less effective for learning.”
Until we know more, I guess we should use a variety of communication techniques, try to get our students to develop their different learning styles with listening or visulaisation techniques, and give them ample practice using techniques like diagrams and maps.
Kollöffel, B. (2012). Exploring the relation between visualizer–verbalizer cognitive styles and performance with visual or verbal learning material. Computers & Education, 58, 697–706
doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2011.09.016
Denise 3:04 am on July 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
HI Danielle,
Thanks for this article. Is an interesting read.
I agree with you, we often think we use different learning techniques to match diffferent learners learning styles, but equally we are giving them the opportunity to use and be challenged by learning techniques that aren’t their preferred style. Both support learning.
maybacon 7:37 pm on July 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Denise,
While it took me a few years to recognize the value of mapping tools and organization (I had a teacher in university who swore by mind map notes, and I just couldn’t understand how the ‘messy’ layout could be helpful), I’ve recently developed an interest and affinity with them as a way of organizing my thoughts and sharing them with others.
It’s impressive (and encouraging) that creating concept maps could be beneficial for all types of learners. Perhaps just the thought process behind mapping out ideas solidifies understanding and promotes effective research skills?