A concept map is a way of helping students organize their ideas and also a way to help visual learners organize their notes. I like using this graphic organizer for all of the students in my 8th grade Industrial technology course when they design and build CO2 powered cars. There are many specifications and the mind map is a great tool to keep all of the information organized. Before I began using the mind maps, it was frustrating for a few students as they tried to keep all of the information organized and were experiencing some difficulty in doing so. I have seen great improvements in the students work simply by requiring the use of a mind map. According to cognitive theorists, people forget things because they have lost a connection to that piece of information and that if they could create a network of ideas that could strengthen that connection, they would remember (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010). This visual method of taking notes also taps into dual coding theory because students visually see lines connecting certain ideas and the size of various shapes on the concept map establishing ideas that are more dominant or important than others (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program five. Cognitive learning theory [Webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.
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