Concept Maps
Concept maps are a way to present thoughts and ideas in an easy to visually digest format. It lays all the thoughts out in a way that chunks them together into subgroups. For this week, I decided to create a map that I could use as an example of student work. My idea was to get students to work in pairs or in threes and create a mind map that could be used to sum up a mathematical concept or unit discussed in class. Some examples students could pick from would be equations, inequalities, linear functions, factoring, exponent rules, systems of equations, quadratics, and so on. They could also pick a topic and get more specific such as types of slope and methods to find them or what makes a relation a function and how that applies to different representations of functions. The end goal for my students would be creating a concept map that could be used as a quick teaching tool for other students.
The question the students would need to answer would be related to their topic. For the example, the question is "How do we solve systems of equations?" Students would be required to define the topic in their own words, describe the end goal of a typical problem in their own words, and create a branch for each subtopic within their concept. In each subtopic, the students would be required to briefly describe what each subtopic or method is, when it is used, and then give a link to an online resource on how it is done. They would also be required to create and work out their own example and link it as well. I used Google Draw for the images of examples for each method. My hope is this gets students to not only see HOW something is done, but WHY and WHEN it is done which is far more important. Also, forcing them to use their own words only helps students internalize the concepts more.
Their learning objective:
- I can create and organize a mind map to efficiently outline a mathematical topic or unit that describes, in my own words, what it is, how it is implemented, and includes examples I have created.
I chose to use Coggle because I am familiar with it and it is easy to use. I played around with different ways to label the branches by using their label feature for some and creating an extra branch for others. I find that using the label feature is not as convenient as the label sometimes overlaps the branches and does not follow the branches when moved. I also had to make every image a link rather than embed them directly into the map which ruins any plans I may have had of making these into classroom posters. I feel that a mind map is visually appealing but it is wordy. Without any auditory help, it doesn't hit all of those methods for students to mentally digest material. I do like how it can separate topics efficiently and, with coggle, you can group things by color which helps keep things easily separated. Making a mind map for math was a bit of a struggle. I initially thought about having students make a flowchart for problem solving but I felt it would end up either pretty scant or just like the other dozens you can easily Google to find. I feel using it in this method is the most useful for students rather than myself.
Here is my example (link in case it is just too big to see):
The question the students would need to answer would be related to their topic. For the example, the question is "How do we solve systems of equations?" Students would be required to define the topic in their own words, describe the end goal of a typical problem in their own words, and create a branch for each subtopic within their concept. In each subtopic, the students would be required to briefly describe what each subtopic or method is, when it is used, and then give a link to an online resource on how it is done. They would also be required to create and work out their own example and link it as well. I used Google Draw for the images of examples for each method. My hope is this gets students to not only see HOW something is done, but WHY and WHEN it is done which is far more important. Also, forcing them to use their own words only helps students internalize the concepts more.
Their learning objective:
- I can create and organize a mind map to efficiently outline a mathematical topic or unit that describes, in my own words, what it is, how it is implemented, and includes examples I have created.
I chose to use Coggle because I am familiar with it and it is easy to use. I played around with different ways to label the branches by using their label feature for some and creating an extra branch for others. I find that using the label feature is not as convenient as the label sometimes overlaps the branches and does not follow the branches when moved. I also had to make every image a link rather than embed them directly into the map which ruins any plans I may have had of making these into classroom posters. I feel that a mind map is visually appealing but it is wordy. Without any auditory help, it doesn't hit all of those methods for students to mentally digest material. I do like how it can separate topics efficiently and, with coggle, you can group things by color which helps keep things easily separated. Making a mind map for math was a bit of a struggle. I initially thought about having students make a flowchart for problem solving but I felt it would end up either pretty scant or just like the other dozens you can easily Google to find. I feel using it in this method is the most useful for students rather than myself.
Here is my example (link in case it is just too big to see):
I love your idea for a concept map. The best way to see if you understand a concept, it to put it in your own words and explain it to others. I love the higher level thinking that is being implemented. Great job!
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