Concept Maps

Every child acquires differently, every child has their own brand of personality that is what makes us who we are today.  Teachers know this best, and that is why there are several different ways of teaching.   Concept maps being a web based strategy for learning enhances creativity, collaboration, and communication.

Concept maps are something that I do see myself using my very own classroom one day.  It is more like a “bubble map” focused around one topic.  It is such an organized way of keeping notes and displaying them as well.  You can get as creative as you want with concept mapping, which is a plus because imagination is key! Using concept mapping in the educational classroom is used to understand concepts better and gives a visual on the lesson you are teaching.  You can have students to create their own concept map to maybe go along with a research topic they have been assigned.

 There are several different types’ software’s you can use to create concept maps, Inspiration being one of them.  Inspiration is common software used for creating concept maps.  It is very user friendly; it gives step by step instructions on guiding you to creating y our very own concept map!  We currently do no use Inspiration in the classroom; we use Kidspiration, which is virtually just a simplified version of Inspiration.  Kidspiration is typically used in grades 6-12 and allows for the students to group their ideas onto a concept map.  This is software that has to be installed on the hard drive and often a small monthly fee is involved.  Since this is a web-based program students can create, edit, and share information as they create the project.

According to the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers, teachers are required to be able to apply technology in their educational setting.  Using Inspiration is an example of meeting those standards for the NETS-T.  Common core also implements the use of technology in the classroom, which is why it is extremely important to take full advantage of computer programs, like Inspiration.

 

 ISTE Standars Include:

1. Facilitate and inspire student learning

and creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter,

teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate

experiences that advance student learning,

creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face

and virtual environments.

a. Promote, support, and model creative

and innovative thinking and inventiveness

b. Engage students in exploring real-world issues

and solving authentic problems using digital

tools and resources

c. Promote student reflection using collaborative

tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual

understanding and thinking, planning, and

creative processes

d. Model collaborative knowledge construction by

engaging in learning with students, colleagues,

and others in face-to-face and virtual environments

 

2. Design and develop digital age

learning experiences and assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate

authentic learning experiences and assessments

incorporating contemporary tools and resources

to maximize content learning in context and

to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes

identified in the Standards•S.

a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences

that incorporate digital tools and resources to

promote student learning and creativity

b. Develop technology-enriched learning

environments that enable all students to pursue

their individual curiosities and become active

participants in setting their own educational

goals, managing their own learning, and

assessing their own progress

c. Customize and personalize learning activities

to address students’ diverse learning styles,

working strategies, and abilities using digital

tools and resources

d. Provide students with multiple and varied

formative and summative assessments aligned

with content and technology standards, and use

resulting data to inform learning and teaching

 

3. Model digital age work and learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work

processes representative of an innovative

professional in a global and digital society.

a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems

and the transfer of current knowledge to new

technologies and situations

b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents,

and community members using digital tools

and resources to support student success and

innovation

c. Communicate relevant information and ideas

effectively to students, parents, and peers using

a variety of digital age media and formats

d. Model and facilitate effective use of current

and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze,

evaluate, and use information resources to

support research and learning

 

4. Promote and model digital citizenship

and responsibility

Teachers understand local and global societal

issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital

culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in

their professional practices.

a. Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal,

and ethical use of digital information and

technology, including respect for copyright,

intellectual property, and the appropriate

documentation of sources

b. Address the diverse needs of all learners by

using learner-centered strategies providing

equitable access to appropriate digital tools

and resources

c. Promote and model digital etiquette and

responsible social interactions related to the

use of technology and information

d. Develop and model cultural understanding and

global awareness by engaging with colleagues

and students of other cultures using digital age

communication and collaboration tools

 

5. Engage in professional growth

and leadership

Teachers continuously improve their professional

practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit

leadership in their school and professional

community by promoting and demonstrating

the effective use of digital tools and resources.

a. Participate in local and global learning

communities to explore creative applications

of technology to improve student learning

b. Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision

of technology infusion, participating in shared

decision making and community building, and

developing the leadership and technology skills

of others

c. Evaluate and reflect on current research and

professional practice on a regular basis to

make effective use of existing and emerging

digital tools and resources in support of student

learning

d. Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and selfrenewal

of the teaching profession and of their

school and community