1. I explored the program Inspiration and found the program to be very helpful and easy to navigate. One of the features I found most intriguing is how you could create an outline, with main topics, subtopics and notes to support each. At the touch of a button you can take that outline and create a concept map for the lesson. This could definitely be useful for teachers who are using the outline for lectures and can create a concept map for those students who would like one to follow the lesson with or are visual learners. The simple use and navigation of the program is helpful for both me as a teacher and my students who might use the program at home to create their own outlines or concept maps. I imagine that Kid Inspiration is very similar in its use and function. There is also a level of creativity you can bring to the concept map as there are blank templates where you fill in the bubbles and create them however you like. There are pictures of animals, people, historical sites, shapes, math, science, space, and everything you can possibly imagine.
Another useful tool of the Inspiration program is how there are pre-made concept maps that you can explore through individual subjects that can inspire you as the educator to plan your lesson accordingly. For Social Studies/History there were examples of Revolutionary Events, Primary Sources, Historical Figures, Pros and Cons, Government, and many others. This is helpful in creating lesson plans for the class and you can use these concept maps as both a handout for the students or even using one for yourself as a teaching aid to make sure you covered all of the topics. There are also other subject areas such as science and language arts, as well as studying and preparation concept maps as well. Again, the simplicity and the easy navigation make this program very useful in the classroom for both students and the teacher. The concept maps for specific topics can be created blank and you can have the students fill them out too as a homework or in class assignment while you talk about the subject. This is a handy studying tool for future exams and an easy chart to follow in group discussions.
2. The impact of using concept maps in your classroom for students to use is that it adds an element of visual aid to your note taking. Before students could look at their notes, even if they were in neat outlined forms and only see words. Now we concept maps they can see connecting ideas and points, highlighted topics of discussion, and sometimes illustrations to help aid in learning. This is helpful for those students who don’t learn well from simply taking notes but can also add that visual element. Another helpful way you could use concept maps with your students is handing them blank concept maps with maybe only the connecting ideas but with no supporting evidence or notes. The students can then fill out the concept maps as they listen to your lecture, guest speaker, film, or discussion. This can help organize ideas and thoughts from class instead of scrambling to write pages and pages of notes on everything they hear. I know this is valuable because in the classes I have that offer their Power Points online help me focus my note taking instead of writing everything under the sun and allows me to pay attention more to the discussion. I know this will help students the same way and gives them an opportunity to learn more towards their style instead of the orthodox method of teaching.
3. The two criteria that would determine if I would use a concept map activities in my lesson plan would be beneficial for the students. Simply handing them a blank concept map would not help them organize their thoughts or ideas as well as one that was carefully planned and put together with main topics and concepts. The second criteria would be if the lesson plan would be helped by using a concept map. Using concept maps sparingly would be a better approach then always using them. Students can make their own at home with their notes, helping them develop autonomy will benefit them in higher education where sometimes teachers don’t put as much time or effort into their lesson planning.
-Matt Melka
GO COUGS!
Concept map made in class on 10/5/2009:
