As students conduct their research and continue to ask questions as they address the problems stated in the scenarios, they will need to organize the information they obtain. Concept mapping is one simple and useful way to organize data while also showing the relationships between the information found. The following web links will help you to become familiar with the idea of concept mapping and will give you advice on how to implement this approach in the classroom.

Concept Mapping Homepage
Concept mapping is a technique for representing knowledge in graphs. Knowledge graphs are networks of concepts.

Using Concept Mapping
This article focuses on the development of concept mapping as a way to trace, document, and evaluate student learning and knowledge acquisition. Aside from describing the method and advantages of concept mapping, this article also looks at specific kinds of concept mapping software as well as unique web sites involving concept mapping.

Walker TRC - Concept Mapping and Curriculum Design
What is a Concept Map?; Concept Mapping and Curriculum Design, Steps in Making a Concept Map, Constructivism. . .

Mind Mapping FAQ
A mind map consists of a central word or concept. Around the central word or concept, you draw the 5 to 10 main ideas that relate to that word or concept. You then take each of those child words and again draw the 5 to 10 main ideas that relate to each of those words.

Concept Mapping
Concept Mapping, Problem-Solution Map, Process Map, Fun Frames, Characteristics Maps, Research Event, Narrative Story Line, Persuasion Map, How to Make Maps

SCORE ­ Graphic Organizers
Teachers may wish to incorporate these strategies as they develop standards-based lessons.

Concept Mapping
Before beginning a search of Internet resources, it is helpful to engage the students' thinking about their choice of a topic.

Scoring Concept Mapping
As educators, you need to have a snapshot of what students know or understand at a particular time. A concept map is an excellent means of getting a look at current levels of understanding. Concept maps can also help us to determine the strengths and weaknesses of students' conceptual frameworks.

Other links on this page provide information about how to construct a concept map. The rubric below provides guidance on how to go about scoring the concept maps. A good means of showing growth in a particular area is to have students complete a concept map at the beginning of a block of instruction, then again when the block is finished.

Criteria

Definition

Organization
10 points* for consistent use of a structure, such as a hierarchy or iterative, causal

General to specific: Key concepts to specific details; Main ideas supported by subtopics

Relationships
5 points* for each meaningful link between two concepts

Meaningful relationships between each two concepts as shown by the line and the words on the link

Connections
5 points* for each synthesizing link

2 points* for each for elaborating link

Links are labeled to make valid, accurate connections between concepts in different parts of the map -- may be used to synthesize or elaborate on ideas.

Examples/Details
2 points* each

The main idea is extended through subtopics all the way to the level of detail in a specific example

Problem-Based Learning .. | ..PBL Model .. | .. Teaching Social Studies & Geography .. | .. Standards .. | .. Web Information .. | .. Concept Mapping .. | .. Helpful Sites .. | .. Alternative Assessment .. | .. Electronic Portfolios .. | .. Rubrics

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