Reflection #4: Integrating Concept Maps and using Inspiration in Instruction
Our discussion this week centered around concept maps and the various ways you use them in instruction. A concept map is a "visual illustration displaying the organization of concepts and outlines the relationships among or between these concepts." (Hoffman and Novak, 2003) Graphic organizers and brainstorming templates are examples of concept maps. Professor Min Kyu Kim, our guest speaker from Ohio State University, describes concept maps as "external knowledge representations." (Jonassen et al. 1993; Newell and Simon, 1972; Seel 2001; Spector and Koszalka, 2004) We format ideas in our minds and concept maps helps us create a visual representation of that format. The process of making concept maps can help teachers and students prepare for projects, presentation, or complex problems. Students use constructivism theory when building concept maps because they construct their own understanding of the topic when building a concept map. A concept map can be an engaging experience where students learn through collaboration to solve problems.
A program that makes creating a concept map fun and engaging is Inspiration. Inspiration has all teh tools need to organize a concept map and all you have to do is point and click. Multimedia can be added to make your concept map stand out. The program can switch your concept map into an outline or presentation.
Inspiration does make the process of creating a concept map efficient but it can be hard to integrate the program into the classroom. Most classrooms do not have accessibility to computers and using Inspiration can take away time from actual instruction. Inspiration is best utilized when students are in a computer lab or at their homes with a personal computer. The web-based option in the Inspiration program can open a collaboration space for students. Teachers and instructors must be cautious when using Inspiration, or other concept map builders, and focus on creating an organized concept map.
My example of a concept map using the Inspiration program
A program that makes creating a concept map fun and engaging is Inspiration. Inspiration has all teh tools need to organize a concept map and all you have to do is point and click. Multimedia can be added to make your concept map stand out. The program can switch your concept map into an outline or presentation.
Inspiration does make the process of creating a concept map efficient but it can be hard to integrate the program into the classroom. Most classrooms do not have accessibility to computers and using Inspiration can take away time from actual instruction. Inspiration is best utilized when students are in a computer lab or at their homes with a personal computer. The web-based option in the Inspiration program can open a collaboration space for students. Teachers and instructors must be cautious when using Inspiration, or other concept map builders, and focus on creating an organized concept map.
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