This document provides an overview of concept mapping. It defines a concept map as a visual representation of concepts and their relationships using boxes and arrows. Concept mapping helps learners brainstorm, discover new concepts and connections, communicate ideas clearly, and integrate new and existing knowledge. The document outlines how to construct a concept map by starting with a main idea, identifying key concepts, and connecting concepts with linking phrases and words. It also provides suggestions for organizing concepts during brainstorming and layout, as well as considerations for an effective concept map such as accuracy, organization, appearance, and creativity. Examples of basic and advanced concept maps are included.

1. An Overview of Concept
Mapping
By Melissa Winfield

2. What is a Concept Map?
A concept map presents the relationships among a set of
connected concepts and ideas. It is a tangible way to
display how your mind "sees" a particular topic. In a
Concept Map, the concepts, usually represented by
single words enclosed in a rectangle, are connected to
other concept boxes by arrows. A word or brief phrase,
written by the arrow, defines the relationship between
the connected concepts. Major concept boxes will have
lines to and from several other concept boxes generating
a network.

3. Benefits of Concept Mapping
Concept mapping serves several purposes for
learners:
• Helps students brainstorm and generate new ideas
• Encourages students to discover new concepts and the
propositions that connect them
• Allows students to more clearly communicate ideas, thoughts and
information
• Helps students integrate new concepts with older concepts
• Enables students to gain enhanced knowledge of any topic and
evaluate the information

4. How to Construct a Concept Map
Concept maps are typically hierarchical, with the subordinate concepts
stemming from the main concept or idea.
1. Start with a main idea, topic, or issue to focus on.
A helpful way to determine the context of your concept map is to choose a focus
question—something that needs to be solved or a conclusion that needs to be
reached. Once a topic or question is decided on, that will help with the hierarchical
structure of the concept map.
2. Then determine the key concepts
Find the key concepts that connect and relate to your main idea and rank them; most
general, inclusive concepts come first, then link to smaller, more specific concepts.
3. Finish by connecting concepts--creating linking phrases and words
Once the basic links between the concepts are created, add cross-links, which
connect concepts in different areas of the map, to further illustrate the relationships
and strengthen student’s understanding and knowledge on the topic.

5. Suggestions for Organization
• During Brainstorming: Start by identifying facts, terms, and ideas that you think are
in anyway associated with the topic. Make a list of these items and print them neatly
on sticky notes, one per note, in very brief form, i. e. a single word or short phrase.
This is a brain-storming process, so write down everything that seems important and
avoid discussing how important the item is.
• During Organizing: Spread out your concepts (sticky notes) on a flat surface so that
all can be read easily and, together, create groups and sub-groups of related items.
Try to group items to emphasize hierarchies. Identify terms that represent those
higher categories and add them. Feel free to rearrange items and introduce new
items that you omitted initially. Note that some concepts will fall into multiple
groupings. This will become important later.
• During Initial Layout: On a large surface, try to come up with a layout that best
represents your collective understanding of the interrelationships and connections
among groupings. Rearrange things as needed. Use a consistent hierarchy in which
the most important concepts are in the center or at the top. Within sub-grouping,
place closely related items near to each other. Think in terms of connecting the items
in a simple sentence that shows the relationship between them.
• When Linking: Use lines with arrows to connect and show the relationship between
connected items. Write a word or short phrase by each arrow to specify the
relationship. Many arrows can originate or terminate on particularly important
concepts.

6. Other Design
Elements/Questions to Consider
• Accuracy and Thoroughness. Are the concepts and relationships
correct? Are important concepts missing? Are any misconceptions
apparent?
• Organization. Was the concept map laid out in a way that higher
order relationships are apparent and easy to follow? Does it have a
title?
• Appearance. Was the assignment done with care showing attention
to details such as spelling and penmanship? Is it neat and orderly or
is it chaotic and messy?
• Creativity. Are there unusual elements that aid communication or
stimulate interest without being distracting?

7. Concept Map Conceptualized

8. Example of Basic Concept Map

9. Example of Advanced Concept Map