How to make a Concept Map

5 steps to make an effective Concept Map

A concept map is a visually impactful graphical tool that represents the network of hierarchical connections between concepts. It is very useful for both students and professionals to effectively learn and memorize large amounts of information. But how can you create a concept map effectively? What steps should you follow? We will try to understand how to build these diagrams step by step in this article! In this article, we will cover:

1. Choose the tool for your concept mapping

Select a medium for making your concept map. Some people prefer the traditional method with paper and pen, while others use online software specifically designed for this purpose. One advantage of the latter method is that your information is saved in a digital format, making it easy to share and edit from anywhere, using any device.

Moreover, by creating maps with a web app, you can also insert visual elements like images and icons, making the map even more customizable. For the purposes of this guide, we will proceed as if you are using Algor Education. If you need a starting point, you can begin with Algor's concept map templates.

2. Choose the main topic

Create a main concept. Start with a domain of knowledge you are very familiar with. Determine a central idea that connects to all other ideas in your map. If you're not sure where to start, try to identify a part of the text you need to learn or the topic you want to explore further.

It might be helpful to formulate a single focus question, sometimes called a focal question, that clearly specifies the problem or issues the concept map will help address. It's important that all branches of the map consistently respond to the main theme present in the title node.

3. Identify key concepts

Now that you have chosen a main concept, the next step is to note down associated concepts. Think about related ideas and list them on the page. This list is also known as the "parking lot," and these concepts should be distinct and represent focal points of the chosen topic. Describe each concept as briefly as possible; generally, one or two words per idea should suffice. Keeping your descriptions concise will prevent your map from becoming overloaded with text.

4. Organize concepts and their relationships

Arrange each of your concepts hierarchically, with the most general ideas at the top of the list and the more specific ones at the bottom. You can drag the figures in an actual list or simply arrange them in the approximate order they will appear once the diagram is complete. The shape, size, and colors of your concepts can also be helpful in determining hierarchy.

Your concept map will take shape as you connect nodes with lines and define the correct position for each idea. Remember that concept maps usually have text, or linking words, written on each arrow. These linking words are useful in clearly defining the relationship between a general concept and other more specific ones. This way, each branch of the map can be read from top to bottom like a proposition.

The text may include a specific verb, a date, or a proposition (indicating causality, membership, etc.). Once you have created this preliminary concept map with basic connections, add interconnections between nodes belonging to different branches to illustrate relationships between different domains. When rearranging concepts, it may happen that a concept repeats multiple times; these will be the most general concepts in your scheme.

5. Refine the concept map settings

As you add connections to each concept, make sure to carefully review the relationships you are illustrating. It may be helpful to ask yourself questions like the following: Does each element fit well into its designated place? Is there a better position for this idea or group of ideas? Can I use a more precise linking word to represent this relationship?

Rigorous questions like these will help improve your cognitive skills and test your knowledge on any given topic. Remember that you are working on a preliminary map that will likely require revisions. Small adjustments in connections and positions are particularly easy to make when using online software. Algor Education makes it easy to rearrange map nodes in the editor, add notes, images, videos, and audio.

Useful Tips for Creating Effective Concept Maps

Here are some tips to ensure that your concept maps are clear and effective:

• Define concepts clearly: Each concept on the map should be linked to specific ideas, such as summaries or syntheses, rather than vague or generic notions.
• Clarify relationships: Use symbols like arrows or brackets to connect concepts. Ensure that each connection has a precise meaning, which could indicate cause-effect relationships, references, or other specific associations.
• Make the concept map readable: While you may have your own personal notation, it is essential that anyone looking at your map can understand its content. Avoid overly personalized symbols or notations.
• Position concepts strategically: By placing the main concepts in easily readable areas, such as at the top or center, you enable quick understanding of the map.
• Avoid excessive text: Include only relevant ideas and keep concepts brief, limiting them to three or four words if possible.
• Avoid overlap: Avoid having too many crossing or overlapping arrows, as this can confuse the reader.

Creating Maps with AI using Algor Education

A completely new way to create concept maps from long texts or simple keywords or phrases is to seek assistance from Artificial Intelligence. With the web app Algor Education, in addition to creating maps in the traditional way, you can be guided by AI algorithms capable of extracting key concepts from long texts or providing suggestions based on any topic when you're not sure where to start.

With Algor Education, a web app compatible with all devices, you can:

• Automatically transform digital text, photographs of a physical book, audio, and video into concept maps.
• Automatically generate concept maps from a topic thanks to automatic suggestions.
• Automatically generate insights from map nodes.

Algor's algorithms are able to synthesize or generate texts in various languages. Maps can be customized with images, videos, and other multimedia resources. With the collaborative editor, you can work in real-time with friends and colleagues. To try Algor Education for free, register at app.algoreducation.com.