TE year1sourcebook/year1 unit2 Topics of Study in the Unit
Create and represent resources in multiple digital formats using multiple applications
Creation of concept maps
Concept maps can be an effective way of creating a textual resource that can be organized graphically, 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.
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 can use it for your teaching. It is a great tool to help organize your thought processes when writing.
Freeplane is a FOSS application that can be used to create concept maps (image ); in this section you will learn to use of Freeplane.
What is a concept map?
Close your eyes and think of a word. For example think about the word plant. Now think of all the words that that come into your mind when you think about the word plant. List these words in your notebook.
Some of the common thoughts/words that would come into mind when thinking about plants are: PLANT, WATER, PHOTOSYNTHESIS, LEAF, FLOWER, ROOT, STEM, SOIL, SUNLIGHT, CARBONDIOXIDE
These words have meaning that can be pictured in the mind. These words can be called concept words. Concept is a way of describing a word that can be pictured in the mind. It is also any thought, idea, belief, picture or image that is formed in the mind when we think of a word or topic. For example, one concept for plant is that it is a living thing.
Learning to use Freeplane
Freeplane is a free and open source software application that helps you create and edit concept maps, as a generic resource creation.
You can learn Freeplane here, with the following functionalities
- Creating a map
- Inserting nodes
- Linking nodes
- Hyperlinking files and weblinks
- Adding notes and note window
- Saving and exporting
- Typing Kannada in Freeplane
- Saving the file
You should first develop a concept map for any topic you want to develop a resource on. 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. Links between nodes, with web pages, notes explaining concepts can all be inserted in the concept map. The power of the digital concept map is that you can keep revising the nodes, adding and deleting, moving and copying nodes as you want. This makes the process quite dynamic. Once you have completed your concept map you can share it with your classmates for feedback with which you can refine the concept map still further.