What is... Concept Mapping?

What is... Concept mapping?

In the classroom...	In general...
ICT outcomes specific to concept mapping Why use concept mapping in teaching? Lesson ideas Discussion possibilities Readings	Concept map features Planning a concept map Concept mapping tutorials Concept mapping links

Concept maps are spatial representations of concepts and their interrelationships. Concept maps allow students to organize prior knowledge, integrate new knowledge to existing concepts or ideas, and describe concepts and their relationships.

Joseph D. Novak of Stanford University developed the concept mapping technique in the 1960's. His work was based on the theories of David Ausubel, who stressed the importance of prior knowledge in being able to learn new concepts.

Although there are many variations on concept mapping, they share some common themes. Concept maps, traditionally done with pens and pencils on paper, have shown to be a valuable tool to support visual thought processes in individuals and groups. Today, this tendency has been reflected through the development of computer-based tools to represent concept maps graphically.