Concept Mapping Strategies

Concept Mapping or MindMapping Overview

Concept mapping, mind mapping, tree diagrams, organisation charts, spider diagrams are all terms used to describe graphical organisation methods. These are used for storing, processing, organising and presenting information graphically. A number of software packages are available which will help you draw these diagrams and output them in various forms. But what do these terms mean? Why are these mapping techniques useful? Who uses them and why are they so popular?

A concept map is a web diagram where each “node” contains an idea, concept or question which is clearly framed with very little chance for ambiguity.  These ideas are linked together by branches to show their relationship to each other. It should be noted that concept maps do not always have to take the form of a web – they can be presented as a tree diagram or organisational chart, as an input or output tree or as a flow chart.

 Sample 1  Web Mapping

 Mind mapping is a distinct technique which differs from concept mapping in that short phrases may be used with act as connectors rather than expanding the idea.  Mind maps take a particular, prearranged web form. They were developed from psychological theories by Tony Buzan in the 1970s. Combining keywords, images and colour, this highly structured method of concept mapping has become popular with all ages for note taking, brainstorming and creative thinking.

                                   Sample Map from MindManager

  Other types of mind maps have been developed for particular uses – tree diagrams for structured hierarchical diagrams such as organisational charts; input and output trees for showing processes. However, it is really up to the user as to which layout best suits the individual need and environment -  It is also important to make choices based on a person’s learning style or personal preferences.

                                       Tree Diagrams/Hierarchy

 Which layout is used depends a lot on the user – whether they preferred a structured or unstructured layout – and the subject of the map – input and output trees can be used for process maps where as tree diagrams indicate a hierarchy.

 Sample 2.  Tree Diagrams.

Why are ‘concept mapping’ techniques so useful? Possible reasons include:

Brainstorming - this is an idea generation technique which can be used by an individual or by group. A topic or idea begins the process whether on paper or on computer. Then any ideas, concept, keywords, processes or images relating to the problem or topic are recorded. These form the “nodes” of the map. The relationships between each node, the branches, are then added to start the diagram building process.  A hierarchy can be introduced into the map as some ideas may form subsets of others or can be grouped together. As the map is formed it may have additional graphical elements, colour and other cues to help the user retain or reorganise information.

Computer based brainstorming allows for links to be made with many other programs such as word processors which aids organisation of thoughts when writing long pieces of text. Many of the software packages allow for the graphical mode to be exported to other software packages such as word processors. 

The results of a brainstorming session can be a concept map which has many uses – it can form the basis of an essay or project, it can produce the solution to your problem, or it can be saved to be used as a revision tool at a later date.

Visual display of information – Some find the major advantage of concept maps is that they present information visually. Visual thinking is preferred by many people with dyslexia and seeing information graphically can increase both creativity and retention. Images can be used instead of words and tools such as colour; sizing and spatial position can be used to convey information on topics, importance or actions to be taken.  Large amounts of information can be stored at many levels but seen as a whole rather than as a mass of text streaming down a page.

Outlining - concept mapping programs can be used for outlining documents, presentation or projects. This is possible because the programs contain functions that convert the graphical map view into a text version of the map. Notes functions allow the user to attach text, references or hyperlinks to ideas within the map. Some programs have basic word processing functions in their notes entry boxes, allowing for the addition of lists and tables. Others make an automatic list function from the concept map which can be exported to a word processor.  For people with dyslexia, being able to develop a draft version of a document in a visual environment is a great bonus. The entire structure of the document can be seen when exported in a linear fashion and changes can be made at any time.

Multiple applications - Concept mapping packages can be used in education for lesson planning and presentations and many allow for direct export to PowerPoint or HTML.   A project can be planned on the basis of the tasks laif out in Outlook with actions, resources and priorities being assigned to the various branches. The plan can then be exported to a project management tool, word processor or presentation package or held as a reminder or revision tool.

What software packages are available and what can they do?

There are many software packages that can be used for concept mapping and these include some mainstream packages.  In the wider sense of setting ideas into graphical layouts it could be said that the organisational charts available in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint fit the criteria and making use of basic drawing programs is very feasible.  However, specialist packages provide many more functions and much more functionality.

The four chosen specialist packages that appear to be used in the education field within UK institutions are Inspiration published by the company of that name, MindManager by Mindjet, Thinksheet produced by Fisher Marriott and Ygnius from Gael.   Each package, whilst providing core functions, has different techniques for brainstorming and laying out a map. There are considerable differences in the export and input functions, which is important to note for those who wish to use concept maps for planning and outlining presentations, essays and other documents.

Inspiration (KS3+): a flexible concept mapping program, designed for education, which allows you to switch between a linear-text view and a diagram view. Image banks enable images to be easily added to maps. Kidspiration is the junior version of Inspiration, aimed at KS1 & KS2 with the added advantage of built-in speech.

MindManager (KS4+): a project management tool that allows you to draw Buzan MindMaps and link to MS Outlook, PowerPoint and Project. The branches can contain phrases and are very much in the mode of a mindmap rather than a concept map.

Thinksheet (KS2+): Drafting tool which enables ideas to be displayed and organised in a notice board or spider diagram view before developing further in the integrated word processor.  The program was originally designed in a similar fashion to the Windows Card index system.

Ygnius (KS3+): a flexible concept mapping program with an automatic brainstorming mode which enables the map to be viewed in a variety of layouts. Closely integrated to Microsoft Office it allows text outlines and images of maps to be easily imported and exported to many common applications.

What are the differences between the various packages?

The main differences appear to be related to ease of use, which tends to be based on personal preference, and the amount of facilities available within each program.  First impressions when looking at a sample map may also affect the user’s impression of how useful the tool could become.  Perhaps it should be pointed out that none of the programs can be used without a few simple tips.  However as Gillette (2001) stated in an article called ‘Designing Adaptive Technology for those with Learning Disabilities’

“The best tools are usually not the simplest or those with the shortest learning curve, but the ones that connect so well with the methods of the user and the environment being acted upon, that the user is able, after some practise, to use the tool subconsciously as an extension of the self, allowing for the focus of attention to be on the task at hand and not the tool in hand.”

Http://www.cisp.org/imp/june_2001/06_01gillette.htm

All the programs have facilities to take the user from the main idea to a linked branch or node. All have linear text versions in tree or bulleted form. Inspiration is the only one that allows for ideas to be created within both modes in the same program.  The others allow for the ideas to be created in the map or card layout and viewed simultaneously in the linear mode.

For further similarities and differences a chart has been provided and short instructions for making basic maps have been provided.

Finally, perhaps one of the major factors that should be considered when making a decision about whether to choose a software package over and above the use of paper based mindmapping is the fact that everything can be changed with ease in all the programs – no rewriting is required.  Ideas can be transferred to other formats including portable digital organisers such as Palm handhelds and AlphaSmarts as well as reorganised in many different ways within the other software packages already mentioned.  Computer based concept mapping allows students and staff to construct user friendly knowledge banks with enhanced fluidity thanks to the electronic medium and they can be shared and extended with supportive collaboration.