Changes

Learning often consists of understanding the concepts that underlie an activity, or an event or an idea. The linking of related concepts enables the forming of a 'concept map' in our mind, which represents our understanding of the topic or theme.  

Learning often consists of understanding the concepts that underlie an activity, or an event or an idea. The linking of related concepts enables the forming of a 'concept map' in our mind, which represents our understanding of the topic or theme.  

There are applications for creating digital concept maps. These concept maps can be an effective way of creating a text resource that can be organized in the form of a map or tree of ideas. It provides a pictorial overview of the concepts, related concepts / sub-concepts for a topic.  In the map, you can  link to additional resources, add annotations, graphically organize ideas through links etc.   

There are software applications for creating digital concept maps. These concept maps can be an effective way of creating a text resource that can be organized in the form of a map or tree of ideas. It provides a pictorial overview of the concepts, related concepts / sub-concepts for a topic.  In the map, you can  link to additional resources, add annotations, graphically organize ideas through links etc.   

==== Learning to use a digital concept map editor ====

==== Learning to use a digital concept map editor ====

[[File:Freeplane logo.png|frameless|20x20px|link=https://teacher-network.in/OER/index.php/File:Freeplane_logo.png]][[wikipedia:Freeplane|Freeplane]] is a FOSS application that can be used to create concept maps; in this unit you will learn how to use [[wikipedia:Freeplane|Freeplane]] and its various functionalities.You can view concept maps through Freeplane reader, on Android mobile phones.       

[[File:Freeplane logo.png|frameless|20x20px|link=https://teacher-network.in/OER/index.php/File:Freeplane_logo.png]][[wikipedia:Freeplane|Freeplane]] is a FOSS application that can be used to create concept maps; in this unit you will learn how to use [[wikipedia:Freeplane|Freeplane]] and its key functionalities.You can view concept maps through Freeplane reader on Android mobile phones.       

<gallery mode="packed" heights="250px" caption="Learning to use Freeplane">

<gallery mode="packed" heights="250px" caption="Learning to use Freeplane">

File:COL - Concept Map on DST.png|Completed concept map

File:COL - Concept Map on DST.png|Completed concept map

</gallery>

</gallery>

# In the custom distribution of the Ubuntu operating system, accompanying this sourcebook, all FOSS applications have been bundled.  To open Freeplane, select <u>Applications → Office →</u> <u>[https://www.freeplane.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page Freeplane]</u>, as shown in the first image below.

# In the custom distribution of the Ubuntu operating system, accompanying this source book, all the required FOSS applications have been bundled.  To open Freeplane, select <u>Applications → Office →</u> <u>[https://www.freeplane.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page Freeplane]</u>, as shown in the first image in the Freeplane gallery.

# The second image shows you how a new concept map appears in Freeplane.  When you open Freeplane, the application  opens a window with a box containing the  text "New mindmap".  This node, also called the "root node" will contain the core idea/ theme of the resource.  Additional ideas are added by adding more nodes, called child nodes.   

# The second image in the gallery shows you how a new concept map appears in Freeplane.  When you open Freeplane, the application  opens a window with a box containing the  text "New mindmap".  This node, also called the "root node" will contain the core idea/ theme of the resource.  Additional ideas are added by adding more nodes, called child nodes.   

# The concept map gets built by adding further child nodes, for topics and sub-topics.  Use the ‘insert’ key to create a ‘child node’ this is a sub-concept of your current concept. Use the ‘enter’ key to create a ‘sibling’ this is a parallel concept to your current concept. Thus you can create a concept map, as shown in the third image, with just two functions – add child node (insert) and add sibling node (enter). The ideas you have about the topic, the sequencing of ideas and sub concepts, the specific points for each idea / sub-concept can be developed on the map.  The last image shows a completed concept map.[[File:Freeplane linking nodes.png|thumb|Connect two nodes]]

# The concept map gets built by adding further child nodes, for topics and sub-topics.  Use the ‘insert’ key to create a ‘child node’ this is a sub-concept of your current concept. Use the ‘enter’ key to create a ‘sibling’ this is a parallel concept to your current concept. Thus you can create a concept map, as shown in the third image, with just two functions – add child node (insert) and add sibling node (enter). The ideas you have about the topic, the sequencing of ideas and sub concepts, the specific points for each idea / sub-concept can be developed on the map.  The last image shows a completed concept map.[[File:Freeplane linking nodes.png|thumb|Image 5 - Connect two nodes]]

==== Connecting concepts (nodes) ====

==== Connecting concepts (nodes) ====

Connecting concepts is what allows meaning making and you can do this in Freeplane by graphically linking nodes. You can link two nodes (which are not otherwise related as parent-child) by selecting the two nodes and clicking CTRL-L. This will provide a curved arrow to connect the two nodes. You can use this to indicate a direct linkage between the concepts represented by the two nodes, as shown in the image.{{clear}}

Connecting concepts supports meaning making and you can do this in Freeplane by graphically linking nodes. You can link two nodes (which are not otherwise related as parent-child) by selecting the two nodes and clicking CTRL-L. This will provide a curved arrow to connect the two nodes, see image 5. You can use this to indicate a direct linkage between the concepts represented by the two nodes, as shown in the image. As mentioned in unit 1, while specific steps (such as using CTRL-L for creating graphic links between two nodes) are provided for quick learning, it is more important to learn/understand the concept / processes (two concepts can be linked), than the specific implementation process (CTRL-L). This understanding can help us to more easily learn another tool in the same area, where the same concept/process may be implemented differently. Hence in the source book, the sections are intentionally labelled with the concept/process name, and not the technical implementation step. Memorising helps in speedy use of the tool, but there is no imperative to memorise all the short cuts, since these are usually easily available from the tool menu bar. {{clear}}

==== Hyperlinking files and weblinks to any node on your concept map ====

==== Hyper-linking files and web-links to any node on your concept map ====

[[File:COL_-_Type_the_hyperlink_in_Concept_map.png|left|thumb|400x450px|Inserting hyper-link in a concept map]]You can embed a hyper-link on a node, such that clicking that node will open a page on the Internet or a file on your computer, as shown in the image. This connects a node on your map to related resources you may want the reader to access. You can also use the keyboard short cut CTRL-K to insert a web-link and SHIFT-CTRL-K to insert a link to a file on your computer.  Freeplane will open an input bar, in which you can type in the address. The link is indicated by a red arrow inside the node.  

[[File:COL_-_Type_the_hyperlink_in_Concept_map.png|left|thumb|400x450px|Image 6 - Inserting hyper-link in a concept map]]You can embed a hyper-link on a node, such that clicking that node will open a page on the Internet or a file on your computer, as shown in the image. This connects a node on your map to related resources you may want the reader to access. You can also use the keyboard short cut CTRL-K to insert a web-link and SHIFT-CTRL-K to insert a link to a file on your computer.  Freeplane will open an input bar, in which you can type in the address (see Image 6). The link is indicated by a red arrow inside the node.  

[[File:Freeplanelinkfile.png|thumb|400x450px|Linking to files on your computer]]

[[File:Freeplanelinkfile.png|thumb|400x450px|Image 7 - Linking to files on your computer]]

      

      

You can also add a hyperlink to a local file on your computer. If you select When you click on Edit-->Link-->Add Hyperlink (choose) allows you to link to a file on a folder on your computer. The third image shows how to choose a file from your folders to link. For instance, if you would like to display an image associated with a node, you can link the image file to the node and clicking the arrow, will open the image. You can link any file. You can even link a node to another concept map, this way you could link concept maps of topics related to a subject, to provide a connected perspective on these concepts. {{clear}}

You can also add a hyper-link to a local file on your computer. If you select When you click on Edit-->Link-->Add Hyperlink (choose) allows you to link to a file on a folder on your computer. The third image shows how to choose a file from your folders to link (see Image 7). For instance, if you would like to display an image associated with a node, you can link the image file to the node and clicking the arrow, will open the image. You can link any file. You can even link a node to another concept map, this way you could link concept maps of topics related to a subject, to provide a connected perspective on these concepts. {{clear}}

==== Adding notes and note window ====

==== Adding notes and note window ====

[[File:Conceptmap3.png|thumb|400x400px|Notes can be added to nodes|left]]To add a note to a node, you can click on the node, go to View--->Notes--->Display note panel; this will open a window in which you can type your notes.You can change the position and size of this note window using your mouse.  

[[File:Conceptmap3.png|thumb|400x400px|Image 8 - Notes can be added to nodes|left]]To add a note to a node, you can click on the node, go to View--->Notes--->Display note panel; this will open a window in which you can type your notes.You can change the position and size of this note window using your mouse.  

The 'notes' feature allows you to provide detailed explanations, examples etc to any concept in the map. This can help you detail out your thinking on a concept. Freeplane displays a yellow label in the node, for which you have added a note.

The 'notes' feature allows you to provide detailed explanations, examples etc to any concept in the map. This can help you detail out your thinking on a concept. Freeplane displays a yellow label in the node, for which you have added a note.

The digital methods learnt in this unit, can be integrated into teaching-learning processes to enrich both the content and pedagogy aspects. Some of such possibilities are discussed:

The digital methods learnt in this unit, can be integrated into teaching-learning processes to enrich both the content and pedagogy aspects. Some of such possibilities are discussed:

# Concepts acquire power and meaning when they are connected to other concepts. Hence, organizing the concepts relevant to your topic is an important first step of generic resource creation. Concept mapping can be used to build skills in students for ideating and organizing ideas; you could also use it in your class to help students brain storm or capture prior knowledge in an area.  Concept maps can also be useful in helping organize your thought processes when writing, it is a good idea to prepare a concept map before writing any document and use the map as the basis for the writing. A concept map is also a useful teaching tool, it is easy to show the 'macro-view' of any topic by showing the map in full (with sub nodes hidden if required) and then expanding each node and sub-nodes to elaborate on a sub topic. Sharing images and web pages (from embedded links in a node) can enrich the presentation.  

# Concepts acquire power and meaning when they are connected to other concepts. Hence, organizing the concepts relevant to your topic is an important first step of generic resource creation. Concept mapping can be used to build skills in students for ideating and organizing ideas; you could also use it in your class to help students brain storm or capture prior knowledge in an area.  Concept maps can also be useful in helping organize your thought processes when writing, it is a good idea to prepare a concept map before writing any document and use the map as the basis for the writing. A concept map is also a useful teaching tool, it is easy to show the 'macro-view' of any topic by showing the map in full (with sub nodes hidden if required) and then expanding each node and sub-nodes to elaborate on a sub topic. Sharing images and web pages (from embedded links in a node) can enrich the presentation.  

There is good scope for integrating activities planned in the other courses in the first year of the D.El.Ed. program, with the learning in this unit.

There is good scope for integrating activities planned in the other courses in the first year of the D.El.Ed. program, with the learning in this unit.

#Submissions of assignments, notes can be prepared using a text editor to communicate in a rich and effective manner. This would apply to all courses.

#Submissions of assignments, notes can be prepared using a text editor to communicate in a rich and effective manner. This would apply to all courses.