Concept Map – Efficiency

According to the explanation of the inventor of the concept map, Joseph Novak, it is a tool for organizing and representing knowledge. The map establishes relationships of concepts, which are noted by a connecting line and a connecting word. Joseph Novak defines “concept” as a perceived regularity in events or objects or records of events or objects that are designated by a label.

The concept map helps to unlock the existing knowledge of a subject about the concepts and their relationships to each other. This allows gaps to be identified – which important influencing parameters are not yet part of the map and what relationship they have to the terms already known.

The example of a plant describes this as a simple knowledge network. The following (terms) are in [relationship] as follows (plant) [has] (roots) (leaves) (stem), (stem) [supported] (leaves), (leaves) [are normally] (green), (leaves) [produce] (fruits), (seeds) [are stored in] (fruits), etc.

Joseph Novak recommended for “Constructing Good Concept Maps

1. Domain of knowledge
   This is where it all begins. Concept maps are dependent on their context. Therefore, it is best to start in context with something concrete. A central question or problem to be structured.
   Areas
   Next, note down the known areas of the knowledge domain context. This can be done on a white/moderation board with cards or simply sticky notes. The individual areas can also be sorted according to their importance, but this may change again during the development of the concept map.
2. Relations
   Between the areas – beginning with the most important ones at first – the known relationships are now noted.
   Revision of the map
   Novak assumes several revision loops for a good concept map. Therefore, the development should be done in several loops and use the possibility of reassignment as a method. Therefore, sticky notes or a software tool are of course helpful.
3. Avoidance of “string maps
   The concept map deliberately relates several areas under one domain to each other. This is different from a string derivation, which is more of an inductive chain (from the general to the particular).