Concept Maps are Great!!

I would like to express my excitement in learning more information about concept maps and how important they really are to student learning.  I was able to create a concept map from technology, and it really turned out great. I was surprised and very pleased to see the results of composing a concept map. I created my concept map on the branches of U.S. government and the visual display was effective in making connections for comprehension of the content material. I would like to share with you what I have learned about concept maps and their value to classrooms. 

I found concept mapping to be very effective in visually expressing content material.  With concept maps, students can better grasp ideas more quickly than by reading them in a textbook.  The visual mode of presenting information is more effective and makes it easier to comprehend in a short period of time.  It allows for quick interpretation of the concepts which need to be learned. 

Concept maps help students to understand the hierarchy of ideas, understanding how each component relates to the others.  They effectively display cross links between different components which show how concepts are related, they clarify how one may affect another. Concept mapping is an excellent assessment tool for classroom settings.  After students have completed a unit, students could be asked to create a concept map as homework or in lieu of a test.  The concept map helps students to illustrate their knowledge of a subject more thoroughly than multiple choice tests may.  It allows for reinforcing what they know, making it a valuable learning tool for assessment.  Concept maps help students to understand the "big picture" of the subject content. 

Therefore, I am encouraging all teachers to consider applying concept mapping into their curriculum as effective assessment resource tools for students.  I would like for you to check out some valuable websites about learning how to use concept maps in your teaching career such as the following: www.udel.edu/chem/white/teaching, www.serc.carleton.edu, and www.inspiration.com/visual-learning/concept-mapping.  Enjoy your concept maps!!!