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Brainstorming with a purpose? Yes, it is concept mapping. Often confused with mind maps, concept maps go a step further in visualizing a nuanced picture of the key topic. These maps use labeled connectors to analyze the relationships between different problem categories. However, concept maps are a bit trickier. Creating a concept map is a real struggle that requires resources, a focused mind, and many practice sessions. Lack of inspiration and roadblocks further add to the difficulty. But using conceptual map templates will help in creating concept maps.
However, concept maps are a bit trickier. Creating a concept map is a real struggle that requires resources, a focused mind, and many practice sessions. Lack of inspiration and roadblocks further add to the difficulty. But using conceptual map templates will help in creating concept maps.
Not sure how to proceed? Check out these concept map examples and learn how to use them.
What is a Concept Map?
Also known as graphic organizers, concept maps are spider map-like diagrams used to visualize an interdependent network of ideas. Unlike a mind map, concept maps have multiple problem sets converging at a root cause. Moreover, their labeled connections and cross-linkages across categories make them applicable to complex real-life applications.
1. Why Use Concept Maps?
- Concept maps help learners visualize complex relationships using a top-down hierarchy.
- These maps are excellent discussion starters. Teams can use concept map examples to kickstart a brainstorming session.
- Visualizing information in concept maps aids in identifying the missing data. This way, you know what you are looking for.
- The labeled connections of concept maps help memory retention and clear communication.
2. Who Uses Concept Maps?
- Educators use concept maps for active student learning, planning curriculum, and organizing lecture study guides.
- Healthcare Professionals visualize patients' history, evaluate risks, diagnose diseases, and analyze potential treatments through concept mapping.
- HR Managers manage the flow of information with the help of concept maps. They can graphically illustrate each employee's job, efficiency, and value for the organization.
- Businesses gather teams to brainstorm over concept maps, plan product launches, and evaluate bottlenecks during production planning.
Concept Map Examples for Educators
Let us discuss some concept map examples for active learning from the EdrawMind template gallery. You can also explore other similar educational concept maps from the gallery.
1. Ecosystem Concept Map
below. 
below. This ecosystem concept map is your biology 101 guide. The example offers a graphic representation of elements involved in an ecosystem, including organisms, ecology, and environment. Moreover, it includes examples for each category. This way, readers can better understand their role.
Teachers can substitute this example for the “Intro to Ecosystem” class to break the basics to students. You can also print the template and paste it on your classroom wall for students to return to the ecosystem macro concept whenever they feel puzzled.
2. HRM Concept Map
The Human Resource Management HRM concept map is your go-to solution for learning the art of recruiting, hiring, and managing employees in a company. This HRM template visually illustrates the HR concepts and effective methods to execute them.
It is an all-in-one solution for new HR hires starting their professional lives. It facilitates them in deploying and handling the flow of employees in your office.
3. Photosynthesis Concept Map
Photosynthesis is the process of plants preparing their food. The photosynthesis concept map helps students actively learn it in detail through infographics. It depicts the conditions, reactions, and theories behind the process. Teachers can use this example as a worksheet assignment for students to effectively get involved in learning.
4. Neoliberal Concept Map
This neoliberal concept map example illustrates the cross-linkages between the democratic and liberal concepts in the international market. It clarifies how these elements interplay on the global stage to produce and distribute wealth. So, Econ or IR students who have difficulty comprehending the essentials of neoliberalism can use this template. It is an excellent substitute to understand the major powers' decision-making and its dependence on the wealth they control.
5. Network Concept Map
Understanding a concept map is a struggle due to its overlapping parent-daughter subtopics. But no longer with this example. It illustrates networks within a concept map and how they converge at the main idea. Moreover, the connecting lines’ labels aid you in better tracking each topic. Teachers can utilize this example to make students learn concept mapping. They can customize it to any preferred topic and expand on that.
6. Nursing Therapy Concept Map
The nursing therapy concept map is a graphic tool for taking care of dextromethorphan patients. The example explains the core concepts of therapy across three categories: decision-making, doing, and assessments. It also breaks down the dos and don’ts for effective facilitation, diagnosis, and rehab opportunities. This patient care plan further focuses on the responsibilities of a circulating nurse for minimal risk of breach of treatment protocols. Therefore, nurses can use this template to analyze the potential risk factors, medical history, and effective treatment options.
7. Rock Cycle Concept Map
The rock cycle concept map focuses on the relationship and positioning of three common types of rocks under the earth's crust: igneous, metamorphous, and sedimentary. It focuses on the formation process of each type, the effects of weathering, and the resultant decomposition. Science teachers can replace the traditional flashcard method with this template. This way, students can achieve clarity on their characteristics, placement, and formation.
8. World War Concept Map
The World War I example is a one-stop guide to understanding the first global war. It offers a breakdown of the war causes, years, actors, warfare type, and aftermaths. Similarly, it discusses how the war progressed over the years and resulted in massive destruction. It is an excellent substitute for teachers to cover history. Students can visually analyze the major countries and factors that came into play during WWI.
9. Student Wellbeing Concept Map
Here comes yet another concept map for teachers. It visually illustrates the factors that aid community involvement, professional leadership, and improved learning. The example further emphasizes the methods through which you can achieve favorable results. The student well-being/achievement concept map is a prerequisite for any educator to develop a curriculum. It can help them understand the needs of a student and include them in the study material.
10. Bacteria Concept Map
Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms. This conceptual map example is a quick stop for learning all about bacteria, its types, characteristics, magnitudes, and examples. It depicts the adaptive nature of these prokaryotic cells, how they are carried, and their purpose. Teachers can utilize this example for students' active learning about these organisms. They can print it in a hard copy and paste it into a classroom. Students can also take inspiration from this template and make their concept map by personalizing it.
Create a clear and concise concept map with this beginner's guide. Learn Learn how to make a concept map hierarchically and make connections between concepts for better understanding. Start mapping your ideas today!🌈
Tips for Making Concept Maps Effectively
Be it concept mapping on paper or a digital canvas, adopting some practices can make it less challenging. So, let us check them out.
- Stick to a Single Central Concept
Sure, concept maps can have more than one parent-daughter problem set. However, most people confuse this with the root concept, which confuses the entire layout. Always make sure your concept map has a single key concept.
- Use Linking Words
Linking words makes concept mapping stand out. It helps readers track the flow of each category. Also, adding supplementary information in the labels makes the map less cluttered.
- Keywords
Concept maps are already stuffed. Adding long sentences to them is a recipe for disaster. Using accurate keywords for conveying information is better.
- Color Code Categories
Colors are your savior in conceptual mapping. They can differentiate categories and aid the information flow. Therefore, when done adding text, the next thing to do is to color code each domain.
- Use Templates
Starting concept maps from scratch is as scary as hiking a mountain. But no longer with visual aids like pre-designed templates. Beginners can utilize these examples to understand the layout, structure, and connection building. Gradually, they can shift to traditional concept mapping once they become a pro.
Conclusion
Though conceptual maps got recognition through education, they are widely popular across industries like project management, medicine, businesses, and IT. Now, concept maps are a staple for brainstorming, problem-solving, and decision-making. However, in a fast-paced working environment, no one has the time to learn, practice, and plot them from scratch.
What's better is switching to concept map examples. Today, advanced diagramming tools like EdrawMind have introduced pre-built map templates. With these, finding the right fit for your needs might not be as challenging. So, give it a try, and you may stumble upon something valuable in the examples gallery.
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