A concept map is a special form of a web diagram for exploring knowledge and gathering and sharing information. Concept mapping is the strategy employed to develop a concept map. A concept map consists of nodes or cells that contain a concept, item or question and links. The links are labeled and denote direction with an arrow symbol. The labeled links explain the relationship between the nodes. The arrow describes the direction of the relationship and reads like a sentence.
Concept maps or graphic organizer is defined as spider diagrams that are used to organize the information about any topic in a hierarchical or the top of it that includes the title of the topic and the related words to that topic should be placed on the nodes that are extended from the topic.
The concept maps is also used to organize information either during the Learning or after the Learning occurred. For the topics that took long time in explaining the concept maps are used to take down notes to be the connection once it is reached the end. Also during the classes the teacher can prepare an empty concept map and the students have to fill it according to what they have learned.
Before the students start designing the concept map they should write down only the main points that are used to explain what they've been learning after the lesson is done. They will start preparing the concept map by having a planned concept map and they have to complete it using graphic organizer.
To start with designing the concept map there are some procedures has to be followed in constructing the concept map listed in Brainstorming Phase, Organizing Phase, Layout Phase, Linking Phase, and Finalizing the Concept Map. Where in each specific point lots of things to be done; where in Brainstorming Phase: identify facts, terms, and ideas that you think are in anyway associated with the topic from your memory. Make a list of these items and print them neatly on small Post-It notes, one per note, in very brief form, like for example a single word or short phrase. This is a brain-storming process, so write down everything that anybody in your group thinks is important and avoid discussing how important the item is. Before your group completes this step, you may have more than 50 items.
More over in Organizing Phase: Spread out your concepts on a flat surface so that all can be read easily and, together, create groups and sub-groups of related items. Try to group items to emphasize hierarchies. Identify terms that represent those higher categories and add them. Feel free to rearrange items and introduce new items that you omitted initially. Note that some concepts will fall into multiple groupings.
In addition, for Layout Phase: On a large sheet of paper, try to come up with an arrangement (layout) that best represents your collective understanding of the interrelationships and connections among groupings. Feel free to rearrange things at any time during this phase. Use a consistent hierarchy in which the most important concepts are in the center or at the top. Within sub-grouping, place closely related items near to each other. Think in terms of connecting the items in a simple sentence that shows the relationship between them. Do not expect your layout to be like that of other groups. It may be advisable to meet outside of class to work on this assignment and plan for its completion.
Adding to this, in Linking Phase: Use lines with arrows to connect and show the relationship between connected items. Write a word or short phrase by each arrow to specify the relationship. Many arrows can originate or terminate on particularly important concepts.
And finally, Finalizing the Concept Map: After your group has agreed on an arrangement of items that coveys your understanding, you need to convert the concept map into a permanent form that others can view and discuss. Be creative in a constructive way through the use of colors, fonts, shapes, border thickness, etc. to communicate your group's understanding. Give your concept map a title. If you want to construct your final concept map on a computer, try using PowerPoint. In reviewing your concept map, consider the following attributes:
· Accuracy and Thoroughness. Are the concepts and relationships correct? Are important concepts missing? Are any misconceptions apparent?
· Organization. Was the concept map laid out in a way that higher order relationships are apparent and easy to follow? Does it have a title?
· Appearance. Was the assignment done with care showing attention to details such as spelling and penmanship? Is it neat and orderly or is it chaotic and messy?
· Creativity. Are there unusual elements that aid communication or stimulate interest without being distracting?
Moreover, one main idea that we should talk about is how the visual learning helps the students: it is to say that Visual Learning abstract ideas visible, connect the knowledge and new concept, provide the structure of thinking, writing, discussing, analyzing, planning, and reporting, and finally to focus on ideas in order to understand.
The main ideas that comes under visual learning are listed in clarity thoughts; where students see how ideas are connected and to observe how information being grouped and organized. The second idea is to organize and analyze information that when the student use diagrams and plots to display large amount of information in ways that are easy to understand relationships. The third main point is Integrate new knowledge and that according research so that students will remember information and finally the think critically when visual and verbal information help students to make connections.
In my point of view that concept maps increased now a days more than before because when I was at school I didn't use to do the same, but now a days they are focusing on concept maps either at schools or even in the universities to have high level of education among different ages of students.
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