Idea mapping is a studying technique that entails visualizing relations between ideas and concepts utilizing graphical representations. It’s a type of graphic organizer that consists of varied circles or containers (known as nodes) every of which include an idea and are all interlinked by linking phrases. The function of those linking phrases is “to establish the connection between adjoining ideas” (McClellan and Broggy, 2009).

As a studying instrument, idea maps had been first launched by Novak and his colleagues in Cornell College within the 70s of final century. Idea maps are based mostly on Asubel’s concept of significant studying which states that “studying is significant when the scholar comprehends the connection of what’s being realized to different data”(KILIÇ and ÇAKMAK, 2013, p. 154). In different phrases, significant studying “outcomes when an individual consciously and explicitly ties new data to related ideas they already possess” (Stoica, Moraru, and Miron, 2010, p. 568). Some key pillars of significant studying embody prior data, interplay, and collaboration all of that are supported by idea mapping. Nevertheless, an in depth dialogue of the literature and theoretical base of idea maps is past the scope of this brief submit. To be taught extra about idea maps, their underlying concept and their makes use of in training, we suggest the reference checklist on the backside of this submit.



In accordance with the literature cited beneath, here’s a temporary overview of among the advantages  and methods of utilizing ideas along with your college students at school:

Advantages of utilizing idea maps with college students

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Present college students with nonlinear visible methods to know, produce, and characterize data.
Assist develop higher-order pondering abilities together with analytical abilities.
Facilitate the recall and processing of data.
Assist college students externalize their data and present their understanding.
Make express structural types of data and relationships between ideas and due to this fact improve college students comprehension.
They attend to totally different studying kinds.
They have interaction college students in significant studying actions.
They’re efficient organizational instruments college students can use to prepare their data.
Visible representations of information is proved to each stimulate and enhance mind exercise (Marzono, 1998, cited in Birbili, 2006).
Increase social interplay, communication and collaborative crew work.
They can be utilized in several content material areas and with college students from totally different grades.
Makes use of of Idea mapsHighlight the similarities and/or variations between ideas.
Display the sub-components of an idea.
Showcase the methodical steps concerned within the improvement of an idea, occasion…and so forth.
Brainstorm concepts on a selected matter.
Formatively assess college students data in the course of the studying course of.
Use idea maps in summative assessments on the finish of a lesson or course unit.

 Listed below are some good idea mapping  instruments we suggest to make use of in your class:

1- Bubbl.us
An excellent instrument for creating visually engaging idea maps. No software program obtain required and maps you create will be saved as a picture. It additionally helps totally different sharing and collaborative options.

2- Popplet
One other good instrument college students can use to create and share idea maps. It presents varied options together with: recording notes in several codecs with textual content, photographs and drawings; hyperlink notes to one another; export your remaining work as PDF or JPEG; helps a number of languages and lots of extra.

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3- MindMup
Allows you to ‘create limitless thoughts maps without cost, and retailer them within the cloud. Your thoughts maps can be found in every single place, immediately, from any device.’

4- Creately
Affords tons of pre-designed idea map templates, helps group work, built-in with third celebration instruments together with Chrome Retailer and Google Apps. It additionally has this helpful useful resource that can assist you higher perceive and use idea maps.

5- Coggle
One other useful gizmo for creating collaborative idea maps. ‘Coggle is a web based instrument for creating and sharing thoughts maps. It really works on-line in your browser: there’s nothing to obtain or set up.’

6- MindMeister
‘MindMeister is a web based thoughts mapping instrument that allows you to seize, develop and share concepts visually…MindMeister enables you to share your thoughts maps with as many mates or colleagues as you need and collaborate with them in real-time.’

7- Lucidchart
You should utilize Lucidchart to design idea maps, flowcharts and several types of diagrams. It additionally help collaborative options and works throughout a number of units. It additionally presents this helpful useful resource that can assist you be taught extra about idea maps and methods to use them in your class.

8- Mindomo
Glorious for creating thoughts maps, idea maps, outlines and lots of extra. Its ‘Presenter’ function lets college students flip their maps into slide-by-slide shows. Maps can embed movies, audio clips, and hyperlinks. It additionally lets college students search internet photographs instantly from the map and add them with a single click on.

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9- Spiderscribe
‘SpiderScribe is a web based thoughts mapping and brainstorming instrument. It enables you to manage your concepts by connecting notes, recordsdata, calendar occasions, and so forth. in free-form maps. You possibly can collaborate and share these maps on-line.’

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