Concept Mapping — Use both sides of the brain!

When you are faced with a challenge how do you do your best thinking? Are you logical and analytical, or more abstract and random? Are you a Right Brain Thinker (intuitive, synthesizing, subjective, random, holistic)? Or a Left Brain Thinker (logical, sequential, rational, analytical, objective)?

Do you consciously try to balance your approach to a problem or question? Concept Mapping (also known as Mind Mapping) is a tool that helps you think through complex problems, summarize information, or plan projects in a more visual way. It can help you to step away from a one-sided approach and take a look at another way to organize your thoughts, or a project.

The following example of a concept map comes from Mike Wazowski's blog Learner-Shaped Technology. Mike used concept mapping software (Cmap Tools) to give us a closer look at Superheroes and the issues they deal with.

According to Joseph Novak, emeritus professor at Cornell, "concept maps are graphical tools for organizing and representing knowledge." Novak is well known for his work on concept mapping. A technical report on his ideas and methodology is available here: download. In the corporate world Tony Buzan is the developer of what he calls "Mind Maps." Check out his site to see colorful, graphic-laden examples.

The Web Center for Social Research Methods describes concept mapping as a "structured process, focused on a topic or construct of interest, involving input from one or more participants that produces an interpretable pictorial view (concept map) of their ideas and concepts and how these are interrelated." They go on to say that concept mapping helps people to manage the complexity of their ideas without trivializing them or losing detail.

Reasons to use Concept Mapping

• Learning Tool
• Evaluation Tool (products, processes)
• Consolidate information from multiple sources
• Summarize information
• Reveal hidden patterns, connections between elements
• Think through complex problems
• Change the way people think about data
• Remember complex information
• They are fun!

How to Create a Concept Map

Hal White's site proposes that you use the following as a way to create and organize your concept map. Check out his site for more details.

1. Brainstorm: Identify facts, terms, ideas. Put each one on a Post-it Note.
2. Organize your concept terms into groups and sub-groups, create hierarchies
3. Layout: create a layout that reflects your understanding of relationships and connections
4. Link the concepts, define relationships
5. Finalize: add images and color

You can keep it simple. Use Post-it Notes with a big tablet of paper to create your concept map. If you prefer to use software there are many programs available. Ryan Torma (Director of Learning Design and Technology) has used Xmind for website development. A few other sites are listed below. There are many free, open source options for concept mapping software.

Websites about Concept Mapping

http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/mapping/mapping.htm

http://www.studygs.net/mapping/

http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/03/08/three-web-based-mind-mapping-tools-reviewed/

Concept Mapping Software

http://www.xmind.net/

http://cmap.ihmc.us/conceptmap.html

Watch the recorded video from the Tech Talk on Concept Mapping

-J Bartholomew, electronic services

Comments

[Indonesia Java International Destination]

wow, the diagram looks interesting. however, a usually hear people talk about left side and right side of brain. also brainstorming is another trending phrase now. nice post, some educational read.
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[supriono]

wow i like this.... very-very smart....

[used barcode scanner]

that diagram is so easy to understand, i usually use this kind of diagrams when building a website but mine are very complicated that my clients skip them :)

[Jim- Legal Bud]

I very much appreciate this article. I tend to be a more abstract (scattered) thinker and I need some structure when setting out on new project ideas. This is very well put together.

[Mississauga Web Design]

Great information. Like the diagram. it explains the concept well

[Paul Svejda]

Your post is educational, i enjoyed reading it how the left and brain works during mapping.

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Thank you so much for publishing this article. Although I have managed to get by with copius scraps of paper, it was almost impossible to share my so called "mind maps" with others.

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Excellent information.Thanks for posting the wonderful information.

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Your diagram looks interesting. however, a usually hear people talk about left side and right side of brain. also brainstorming is another trending phrase now.

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[health blog]

usually use this kind of diagrams when building a website but mine are very complicated that my clients skip them

[TECHNO BLOG]

This is very well put together.

[Kathy Carter]

Yes! I love this article! Using different parts of the brain opens us to full potential. I like incorporating movement through conscious dance too for a kinesthetic approach. See http://www.naturalrhythms.org .

[Santiago Cute]

Hi
Interestingly, it is important to map out plans and concepts. I like the way you do it. ~ http://www.anneahira.com/komputer-dan-teknologi.htm

[Joanneelizabethchen]

Emily From Enginemarketing
http://www.enginemarketing.co.nz/web-design/

Nice article ! very informative.

[Naresh Karipe]

Oh god! Its an interesting topic ever! One thing I understood from the above diagram is that, by using mind mapping one can easily stick to the goal what he wanted to achieve. Thanks for information

Regards
Naresh

[Naresh Karipe]

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[BrainHealthNews]

I am very left-brained. But I have been using mind-mapping off and on for a couple of years, and find it very helpful. I like the simplicity of the visual aid.

Thanks for the expanded resources.

[Anthony James]

This is absolutely helpful for the people like me. Thanks a lot to the writer