Which would be the first step that the student nurse would take when preparing the concept map?

Learning in medical school (and medical practice) requires the development of an understanding of patterns and relationships in order to be useful. Each step in learning involves combining what you already know with what you need to know. Understanding concept mapping and its contribution to learning in medical education can be seen by comparing it with standard outlining. First we compare the advantages and disadvantages of both learning methods and then we describe when and how to employ concept mapping as a learning tool.

Outlining is a standard way to organize information for presentation:

I. First item

II. Second item

         A. sub item

         B. sub item

                  1. sub-sub item

                  2. sub-sub item

III. Third item, etc.

What are the advantages of outlining to learning?

It is active learning; decisions must be made to construct the outline.

It organizes information by grouping facts and concepts; learning is at a higher level than just memorization of facts.

What are the disadvantages of outlining to learning?

Relationships and patterns are missed.

Information is assembled by the student as it has already been laid out by someone else.

An effective alternative to outlining is concept mapping.

What are the advantages of concept mapping to learning?

It is active learning; decisions must be made to construct the map.

It organizes information by grouping facts and concepts; learning is at a higher level than just memorization of facts.

It illustrates relationships between facts and concepts through cross-links.

Easy visualization fosters long-term memory; exam reviews are faster and more effective. It guides reading to prevent linear focus; the need to look for groupings and comparisons promotes reading to answer a question.

It fosters self-directed lifelong learning.

What are the disadvantages of concept mapping to learning?

It takes time to learn the process.

When to map?

Use mapping to put things into perspective, to analyze relationships, and to prioritize.

Use mapping to organizing a subject or a case; patient data can be organized to think more clearly about cause and effect and new information needed to determine diagnosis or treatment.

Mapping is a way to integrate old and new knowledge.

Save your maps and review them for preparing for tests.  They can be verbalized back into a “story.”

How do I map?

In general, think in terms of key words or paraphrased sentences. Useful items:

• a pencil (you'll be erasing!) and a blank (non-lined) big piece of paper a blackboard and (colored) chalk
• "post-it" notes; a flexible method for arranging the map before recording it.
• free templates available on the web.

Constructing a concept map

1. Select the topic to be studied. Since it is going to be subdivided, the size of the topic is not critical. It can be part of a lecture or material that is covered in several lectures.
2. Identify by listing on a notepad or highlighting the major concepts from the text, and especially material from the lecture notes that was especially emphasized.
3. Rank the concepts (and facts) from most general to most specific.
4. Arrange the concept map with the most general concept at the top. Link it to the less inclusive concepts and enclose the text with circles or other shapes. Label lines with linking words that explain the relationship, if needed. Arrowheads can show direction, cause-and-effect, etc.
5. Try to branch out at each level of the hierarchy with more than one link.
6. Identify and draw cross-links between related concepts. This is a powerful step in developing integrative thinking.
7. Alternative patterns: A “spider” or cluster pattern can be constructed from the center outward.
8. Leave white space to grow your map for
   • further development
   • explanations
   • action items
9. Expand the map over time (right up to an exam if necessary!)
10. Compare your maps with others; different groupings or overall organization can teach insight.

Resources: J. W. Pelley  TTUHSC School of Medicine

Remember, a concept map is a visual representation of what you know about a topic. It helps you to organize, analyze, and communicate your studies and research.

Now that you know what a concept map is and all of its components, let's see how you would create one for yourself.

Steps in Developing a Concept Map

The process of concept mapping involves three major steps:

• Step 1: List key concepts/terms related to the topic
• Step 2: Build up concepts to elaborate key concepts
• Step 3: Identify links between concepts

Step 1: List key concepts related to the topic

List all the concepts related to the topic which you consider essential to understanding the topic. For example, for the topic "cooperative learning," Jose determined the key concepts to be:

• Team Responsibilities
• Individual Responsibilities
• Characteristics
• Roles
• Basic Elements
• Expected Behaviors

Step 2: Build up concepts to elaborate key concepts

After defining the key concepts, you then expand on those concepts. Ask yourself the question:

"What are the important concepts, facts, ideas, terms, etc. that explain the key concept?"

Step 3: Identify links between concepts

It is important to show how or why certain concepts relate to one another. This is called linking – explaining the connection between two separate parts of your concept map.

Making a Concept Map

Concept maps (also known as mind maps) can be made with a pencil and paper,

with post-it notes on a white board (you draw the links) which is great for group brainstorming because you can move the post-it notes around,

or with special computer software. Some of the more popular software includes:

• CMap (online editor)
• Buzan's iMindMap
• Microsoft Visio

 A comprehensive list of concept mapping tools is located at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concept-_and_mind-mapping_software and also at http://www.peterrussell.com/MindMaps/MMSoft.php .

Reading time: about 5 min

Posted by: Lucid Content Team

Concept mapping is brainstorming with a purpose. You start with an overarching concept that you break down into its smaller parts, using arrows and linking words to show how ideas are connected. Common in education, concept maps are helpful in any field by driving creative and visual thinking.

If you want more information on when to use concept maps, check out our handy concept mapping guide.

A concept map helps you gain a better understanding of complex topics, see the big picture, and discover new connections through a collaborative and visual approach. With Lucidchart’s drag-and-drop shapes, flexible lines, and real-time collaboration, you can dive into any concept and map it out in a snap.

Read on to learn how to easily draw a concept map so you can communicate, problem-solve, and brainstorm more effectively.

5 easy steps for drawing a concept map

1. Select a drawing medium

Many people just use pen and paper or a whiteboard because they’re readily available, but it’s not easy to save your whiteboard scribbles or make your handwritten diagram look professional once you’re done. 

Lucidchart, a cloud-based visual workspace, has the advantage of saving your work in a digital format, so it’s easy to share, edit, and polish your diagram. Plus, you can access your diagrams with any Internet-enabled device.

Whatever medium you choose, the next step is to determine the central idea that you want to detail. If you’re not sure where to begin, try identifying a portion of text, a classroom activity, or a tough problem that needs solving. 

It might be useful to come up with a single question, called a focus question, that clearly specifies the problem or issue the concept map will help resolve. Your concept map will consistently lead back to that question and its answer.

3. Identify key concepts

Now that you’ve selected a main concept, the next step is to write down subordinate concepts. Make a list of related ideas, and rank them from the general to the specific. This list, also known as a parking lot because you’re waiting to move these ideas to your map, should consist of around 15-25 key concepts. 

Describe each concept as briefly as possible; usually one or two words per idea will suffice. Keeping your descriptions concise will prevent your map from becoming bloated and text-heavy.

4. Organize shapes and lines

Order each of your concepts in a hierarchical format, with the most general ideas at the top of the map under your main concept and the most specific ones at the bottom. Your concept map will take form as you connect shapes with lines and pinpoint the correct location for each idea. 

Concept maps typically have text, or linking words, written on each line to make sense of the relationship between a general concept and more specific ones. The text might include a specific verb like “provides” or “encompasses.”

Once you’ve created this preliminary concept map containing the basic links, add cross-links to illustrate relationships between concepts that are on the same level of specificity.  

5. Fine-tune the map

As you add links to every concept, be sure to carefully examine the relationships you’re illustrating. Ask yourself questions like:

• Does every element fit well in its respective place?
• Is there a better position for this idea or group of ideas?
• Can I use a more accurate linking word to represent this relationship?

These questions will help you improve cognitive performance and challenge your knowledge on any subject.

Remember this is a preliminary map that will likely need revising. Lucidchart makes it simple to rearrange shapes on the page, add supplementary notes and comments, and even apply attractive styling to your diagram.

With Lucidchart, you can easily create organized concept maps and other specialized diagrams right in your web browser. Start a free trial and see for yourself!

Concept map examples

Here are a few examples of what you could do with Lucidchart. Use any of these templates as inspiration or starting points for your own concept maps.

Sometimes you might find that you need to include a concept map as part of a business case, a school presentation, or other documentation. Because Lucidchart is integrated with Google Workspace, you can easily insert your concept map in Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Learn how to make a concept map in Google Docs with our free add-on.

How to make a concept map in Microsoft Office

If you use Microsoft Office and not Google Workspace, you can still enjoy all the same benefits because Lucidchart is also integrated with Microsoft Office. Add in concept maps and provide context for data in Excel, engaging visuals in Word, and up-to-date diagrams to PowerPoint. Learn how to make a concept map in Microsoft Word with our free add-on.

Make concept mapping work for you with these easy steps and Lucidchart’s integrations. You’ll be able to spend more time solving problems, improving processes, or putting your ideas into action.

Ready to take your concept map to the next level with Lucidchart?