Visual+Thinking

Developing Concept Maps-Making Thinking Visible

Not all concept maps need to be complicated:


But can become more conceptually challenging as students become more familiar with the process. One example:

Another example using a math concept map:

Here are some websites with examples on using concept maps in math.
Regional Math and Science Center-Concept Maps for Mathematics Problems, Strategies, Solutions

**Web-based Online Concept Map Tools**
Bubble.us For those that want to get started here is a link to a tutorial Here is a link to a wiki that highlights ways bubbl.us can be used in the classroom This site shares data on how a mind map tool such as bubbl.us can enhance creativity.

Webspiration For those of you familiar with Inspiration, Webspiration is the online version but much more. It can be used to to map out ideas, organize with outlines, and collaborate online with teams or colleagues.

This linkis to a special education's teacher blog and his experience using Webspiration Here are two links to tutorials on Webspiration: Easily Create and Share Diagrams with Webspiration Blogs on using Webspiration in the classroom

UDL and Concept Maps
From Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning by David Rose and Ann Myers

Resources
Here is an article I wrote on tools to help students and teachers with organizational tasks and includes using Concept Maps. It appeared in the Special Education Technology Practice (SETP)



//Beyond Graphic Organizers: Why Inspiration is a UDL Tool// (Special Education Technology Practice, Jan/Feb 2009)

//Graphic Organizers and UDL// This is a comprehensive curriculum enhancement report from the National Center on Assessment of General Curriculum and The Access Center

Prepositions List
A core element of a concept map is linking ideas or concepts with a proposition. Here is a list of key propositions you can hand out to your students.