Hi all,
So today I completed my first ever concept map. I found this tool to be extremely time consuming. I think that if you were to concept map through bubbl.us then it completely takes away from the idea and point of concept mapping in the first place. In order for the students to complete this tool, the involved experiences would need to be highly scaffolded and the children would need to be very visual learners that are skilled in this area. If the cohort are unable to complete the tool with ease, then the idea of brainstorming and mapping thought patterns is near impossible to achieve as the attention is taking away from the thought process and focuses on the technical skills involved in applying the information into bubble format.
Until next time,
Amy
Hi Amy, I also agreed in thinking that if the purpose of concept mapping was to get the ideas flowing, then this method wouldn't be effective. I would either use the old fashioned paper and pen method or look at using other graphic organizors, depending on the particular purpose. Please see my post, as I have considered that there may be some other reasons for why mapping online is beneficial, and I have also used a different program. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteHi Amy,
ReplyDeleteAt first i was trying to see the good side to mind mapping online, however your comment on the fact that its was way to time consuming made me realize that i felt the same way too. Brainstorming in my eyes is about getting your ideas down on paper fast and i seemed to get lost in trying to work this tool properly instead of concentrating on the content. The upside to this tool was that it was quick and easy to upload to my blog. Thanks again for helping realize my true thoughts.
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteI looked at Sadi's blogsite and I found that her mind mapping ideas were FANTASTIC! Well done for going onto the curriculum exchange and finding that site. I ended up joining for the trial as well and I found it much more visually appealing and very easy to use. I think that the students would relly understand this tool, however I still believe that concept maps using pen and paper are the most beneficial to reach their purpose, to quickly brainstorm. Again, although this tool is more appealing, it still gave me roadblocks in my thinking process and my ideas were not flowing (like intended). Thanks Sadi, it opened my eyes to other possibilities.
Nina, I think that the purpose of this course is to experiemnt with different tools and decide what ones are personally effective and what tools aren't. Sorry if I sound a little like a devils advocate, but this one did not work for me (and you by the sounds of it) but this journey is extremely informative. Thankyou for caring.
Until next time,
Amy
Hi All,
ReplyDeleteI too had my frustrations with concept mapping and found it irrelevant and counterproductive for brainstorming. However, after discussions with Michael on his blog, I took another look at concept mapping from a different perspective.
While they wouldn’t be as good for spontaneous tasks like brainstorming they would be excellent as a research tool to demonstrate a student’s summary of knowledge and understanding (such as how we use them to summarise Week 1’s information). They would also be useful for deconstructing the elements of a task or as a reflective tool.
What do you think?
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
ReplyDeleteI agree totally with what you are saying. I spoke to my mentor teacher and queried the use of concept maps on the computer. I also found that it relates with the Big6 phase of Task Definition. It allows the students to possibly paper plan their breakdown of the task and then create a concept map using Bubbl.us or a similar program to create a concrete material that they can constantly reflect on to assure they are following the task requirements and offering a systematic approach to achieving the learning outcomes.
Is this what you were thinking?
Amy
Thanks Amy, Some of the responses, I have received for why online mapping would be used instead of paper and pen, have included:
ReplyDelete-People agree, in thinking it is best for presentations and teacher explanation.
-Visually appealing, good for visual learners.
-Some feel that allowing students to brainstorm online would be more effective, as students today respond well to technology.
-One of the best ideas (Thanks Beardall ), was the idea that you could use both methods.
This was an important reminder that technology is just a tool, and it is how you use it that is important. (either that or try one that works better for you and the purpose, lol, which is what I ended up doing !)
I no longer feel that I have to choose technology over other methods,or limited to the idea that technology is a replacement. I can now see many opportunities for incorporating technology in with other, perhaps more traditional methods !
An important website :
http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic68d.htm
This site expresses how technology can be applied to suit all learning styles, even kinesthetic !, particularly when using it with other tools, rather than instead of.
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI've got a lot out of your peer feedback and I am keen to check out the site sadi is talking about. After I had a look at concept mapping in relation to how the brain processes information, I thought it would be really useful as a way for students to consolidate and refine information as concept maps are great for organising and chunking information. So with that in mind I thought it might be a useful tool to use at the end of exploring a topic where kids could use a jigsaw strategy to explore differnt elements of a topic and then collaboratively work in their home group to put the elements together using an online concept mapping tool. Just another perspective to consider...