CONCEPT MAPPING

Using Concept mapping to deepen and enrich students understanding of new concepts

Why use concept mapping?

Allows students to organize newly learned information

Useful in any subject area

Illustrates easy to see connections between core ideas and ancillary information

Easy to make

Most concept map organizers engage students in answering questions such as,
"What is it? What is it like?
What are some examples?"
Concept maps deepen understanding and comprehen-

Potential uses:

During primary source reading

During new information

To organize information learned during independent research

As a visual aide to scaffold struggling learners

sion.
-WETA Reading Rockets
(Concept Maps)

Steps for implementing

Model the thought

process used to determine key ideas

Organize concepts
into categories
(main idea and others)

Use lines to show

how ideas relate

Make sure to have

students use concept map to share/
reflect/summarize

Example of a Concept Map

What students can

benefit from concept
mapping?
Students with learning
disabilities, autism, visual
learners, and any student
who needs to organize
their thoughts or a new
concept!

References
Anderson-Inman, L., & Horney, M. (1997). Computer based concept mapping: Enhancing literacy with
tools for visual thinking. Journal of A dolescent and A dult Literacy, 40(4), 302-306.
Asan, A. (2007). Concept mapping in science class. Journal of Educational Technology and Society, 10
(1), 186-195.
Hilbert, T., & Renkl, A. (2008). Concept mapping as a follow up to learning from texts: What characterizes good and poor mappers? Instructional Science, 36(1), 53-73.