Week 3 - The Beats and their Predecessors

Research and Writing Assignments: Compile a Working Bibliography

Bedford Guide: Read Chapter 3, Compiling a Working Bibliography

Movie: Scene selection reviewing, based on topic selection

Lecture 3

Concept- or Mind-Mapping

"For learning I must Create a System, or be enslaved by another Man's" --Wm. Blake, 1757 - 1827 English Graphic-free version

Many of us have learned to outline information in our studies, as:

• First item
• Second item
  sub item
  sub item
  sub item
  sub sub item
• Third item

Alternatives to outlining are Mind- and Concept-Mapping.

How do I map? First reject the idea of an outline, or of paragraphs using sentences. Think in terms of key words or symbols that represent ideas and words.

You will need:

• a pencil (you'll be erasing!) and a blank (non-lined) big piece
  of paper
• a blackboard and (colored) chalk
• "post-it" notes

Write down the most important word or short phrase or symbol
for the center.

Think about it; circle it.

Post other important concepts and their words outside the circle.

Edit this first phase.

Think about the relation of outside items to the center item.
Erase, edit, and/or shorten words to key ideas.
Relocate important items closer to each other for better organization.
If possible, use color to organize information Link concepts with words to clarify their relationships.

Continue working outward.

Freely and quickly add other key words and ideas (you can always erase!)
Think weird: combine concepts to expand your map or; break boundaries.
Develop in directions the topic takes you--not limited by how you are doing the map. As you expand your map, tend to become more specific or detailed.

Set the map aside.

Later, continue development and revision.
Stop and think about relationships you are developing.
Expand the map over time (right up to an exam if necessary!)
This map is your personal learning document. It combines what you knew with what you are learning and what you may need to complete your "picture."

Note the descriptive links for the arrows for "evapotranspiration" and "condensation"

Other examples of mapping

C-map tools: A toolkit for making concept maps: include theory, tutorial, examples, and a free download.

http://cmap.coginst.uwf.edu/ (May 2002)

Concept maps have their origin in the work of David Ausubel (advanced organizers). The technique of concept mapping was developed by Joseph D. Novak at Cornell. "Concept maps have their origin in the learning movement called constructivism. In particular, constructivists hold that prior knowledge is used as a framework to learn new knowledge. In essence, how we think influences how and what we learn. Concept maps identify the way we think, the way we see relationships between knowledge."

Grayson H. Walker, Concept Mapping and Curriculum Design, Teaching Resource Center, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mind mapping was developed by Tony Buzan: "The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain's Untapped Potential", Penguin Books, New York. More information is available in a Mind Mapping FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Document.

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