CONCEPT MAP: Smart Ideas

WORD

Rationale

Concept mapping allows students to better analyze and understand ideas through visual multilevel interactive maps.

Task
Using SMART IDEAS, students will organize and summarize key ideas from a topic/ chapter / unit.

Criteria for Concept Map

ü uses key words that link together concepts and ideas

ü illustrates clear interrelationships / connections in applicable areas (military, political, social, economic, political, cultural, religion, arts, legacies, key figures / people, historical importance etc.)

ü depicts hierarchical relationships between terms, concepts and ideas (multi-level mapping)

ü includes subtopics and detailed examples

ü presents information in an organized fashion with clear themes / patterns

ü includes relevant quotes, images and links to maps and scholarly websites

ü uses interactive clip art, connectors, patterns, images and colours

The computer lab has the required software. There is a free trial of SMART IDEAS: http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/SMART+Ideas/

Ten Steps to Build a Concept Map

1. Identify a focus question that addresses the problem, issues, or knowledge domain that you wish to map.
2. Now hierarchically order your compiled list of concepts.
3. Work through your concepts and add more concepts as needed.
4. Begin building your map.
5. Connect the concepts, and label the connections with one or two linking words. These words should define the relationship between the concepts.
6. Rework the structure of your map, which may include adding, subtracting, or changing subordinate concepts. It may take several iterations of this process to get it to where you want it.
7. Look for crosslinks between concepts in different areas of the map and label these lines.
8. Specific examples of concepts can be attached to the concept labels.
9. It may help to add hyperlinks to concepts you feel require more explanation.
10. Remember that there is no right way to create this concept map, and as your understanding about the relationships between concepts changes, so too will your concept map.

Concept Map Rubric

CATEGORY	Level 4	Level 3	Level 2	Level 1
Conceptual Understanding	Map demonstrates strong conceptual understanding of key ideas because it is comprehensive and accurate.	Map demonstrates solid conceptual understanding of key ideas because it is mostly comprehensive and accurate.	Map demonstrates adequate conceptual understanding of key ideas because it is somewhat comprehensive and accurate.	Map fails to demonstrate adequate conceptual understanding of key ideas because it is not comprehensive or accurate.
Content Coverage	All primary concepts are included on the map and depict accurate associations.	Most primary concepts are included on the map and most depict accurate associations.	Most primary concepts are included on the map, but many are depicted by inaccurate associations.	Several primary concepts are missing and many of those included are depicted by inaccurate associations.
Branching & Hierarchy	The map uses frequent branching yet depicts accurate hierarchical relationships among the concepts.	The map uses branching and usually depicts accurate hierarchical relationships among the concepts.	The map uses branching; however, the hierarchical relationships among the concepts are often inaccurate or neglected.	The map fails to use branching and the hierarchical relationships among the concepts are often inaccurate or neglected.
Cross Linking	Cross links are frequent and show logical inter-relationships among the concepts.	Cross links are used and show logical inter-relationships among the concepts.	Cross links are used and usually show logical inter-relationships among the concepts.	Cross links are not often used and fail to show logical inter-relationships among the concepts.
Linking Words	Linking words are consistently present and strongly enhance the communication of the concept to concept relationships.	Linking words are usually present and enhance the communication of the concept to concept relationships.	Linking words are sometimes present and sometimes enhance the communication of the concept to concept relationships.	Linking words are usually absent and fail to enhance the communication of the concept to concept relationships.
Sub concepts/Examples	Sub concepts and examples are frequent, relevant and demonstrate depth of conceptual understanding.	Sub concepts and examples are included, are usually relevant and demonstrate some degree of conceptual understanding.	Sub concepts and examples are included, but are often irrelevant and fail to demonstrate some degree of conceptual understanding.	Sub concepts and examples are frequently missing, are typically irrelevant and fail to demonstrate conceptual understanding.
Interactivity & Hyperlinks	Map is an excellent resource bank that links to a variety high quality websites. Positioning and organization of links is exceptional.	Map is an solid resource bank that links to quality websites. Positioning and organization of links is sound.	Map is a resource bank. Positioning and organization of links is satisfactory	Map does not contain useful links and needs a great deal of work to be completed.