Week Four

Week Four:
BUILDING YOUR CONCEPT MAP

There are several methods to utilize to begin building your concept map. For each of these methods, an excellent map must begin with a genuine understanding of the concepts learned last week. The selection of a good central theme is imperative. The best maps come from the broadest themes.

Once a theme is selected there are several options for physically creating the map. All of these are best done through collaboration. It is also important that your students grasp the idea of the exercise by your explanation. The simplest is to brainstorm at the chalkboard, encouraging student input. This is uncomplicated and productive, but has the downside of occupying your chalkboard for as long as you utilize the map. Scrutinize how you can take your central theme and make each topic more and more specific. As you think of specifics draw new “bubbles” branching off of the existing topic in wagon wheel fashion. Don’t bypass steps in between. For example if your line of reasoning goes from writers, to 20^th century Americans… Don’t automatically jump to Earnest Hemingway, and William Faulkner. A middle step might include novelists, playwrights, and poets. By skipping steps you will bypass important opportunities for linkages and overlook exciting areas of study.

Another option is to do your initial work at the chalkboard but then dedicate a more permanent bulletin board, classroom wall, or hallway for map display. Provide construction paper, markers, tape, colored yarn, and time each day to allow students to add new topics. Choose a “special” apprentice each day to coordinate this process. It will not take long for your students to become adept at thinking of new linkages. As they begin to demonstrate their eagerness to help you will know that you have them “hooked” on taking ownership in their own study.

If you are interested in a more technical approach to concept map construction there are several wonderful software programs available. One of the best is “Kidspiration” for small children, or “Inspiration” for older students and adults. For our class we will work in the “Inspiration” program. Please click http://www.inspiration.com/ to visit the site and download your free trial software. This software has been created to be an extremely user-friendly product for developing maps. From their website, you will have options for tutorials, thirty day trials, or inexpensive purchase. With “Inspiration”, you will have the ability to organize, change shape and color, and create rapid links to images and sound. It also has a unique feature that enables you to turn your visual concept map into outline form. This seems to be particularly helpful to those individuals who work best through linguistic intelligence.

A good map will seem complex and even haphazard. This seems to bother some people. But remember the reasons for the map. Keep in mind that this is how information really is in our world. Concept maps simply reflect this reality.

Assignments for Week Four:

	Access http://www.inspiration.com/ and familiarize yourself with the “Inspiration” program.
	Involve your students. Make sure they understand why you are utilizing concept maps and the relevance towards their learning.
	Build your map! Begin with a central theme. Ask yourself if this theme could be any broader.
	Encourage your students to help you with your homework.
	Post your concept map on the discussion page.
	Peruse the maps created by your classmates.
	Please fill out the course rubric so that we may use your input to strengthen this course.

Thank you for taking your time to take this online course. We hope that the knowledge that you have gained will help to make your classroom more enjoyable, productive, and beneficial for both you and your students.