Joseph D. NovakProfessor Emeritus, Cornell

University

Senior Research ScientistInstitute for Human and Machine

Cognition

jnovak@ihmc.usHaines City, FL, February 25, 2006

Key Ideas Underlying Concept Mapsand How They are Used

Based on:

•A Theory of Knowledge

•A Theory of Learning

All knowledge is built up from Concepts and Propositions

A Theory of Knowledge

Concept:

A perceived regularity or pattern in events or objects, or records of events or objects, designated by a label

A Theory of Knowledge

Proposition:

Two or more concepts combined to form a statement about something: a unit of meaning

A Theory of Knowledge

Concept Maps:

A tool to represent the Structure of knowledge

A Theory of Knowledge

Concept Map about Concept Maps

Key idea:

Each person must construct her/his own meanings for concepts and propositions from experiences over time, building her/his knowledge structure

New Theory of Learning

Traditional Model of Instruction

Short-TermMemory

WorkingMemory

Long-TermMemory

AffectiveSystem

MotorSystem

InformationInput

Key Memory Systems of the Brain

A 4-year old concept mapping relatives

Learning may vary from highly rote to highly meaningful

Learning by rote usually leads to rapid forgetting.

A first grade child studying electricity in an Audio- Tutorial lesson in 1966

Overwhelmed by hundreds of transcripts from interviews with children, we sought a better way of representing changes in children’s understanding of science concepts

Thus was born the tool we call concept maps

Birth of Concept Maps

Paul’s ideas about the nature of matter , Grade 2

Paul’s ideas about the nature of matter , Grade 12

The Institute for Human and Machine Cognitioncreated CmapTools in the 1990’s and continue to refine the tools.

One of the concept maps for Algebra 1 created at UNF.

David Ferrera’s concept map.Web site

http://www.geocities.com/dmacias_iest/Conceptual.html

C-Maps as Navigational Tool

An overview concept map for Mars Explorationshowing some resources attached to this map.

CmapTools together with the Internet Permits development of a

New Model for Education

We can provide “expert skeleton” concept maps to guide learners.

Proyecto Conectate seeks to introduce all 4th-6th students in Panamato use CmapTools and the Internet to build their own knowledge models

Panamanian chidren are excited about learning this way.

All kinds of learning experiences can beintegrated to create a digital portfolio.

You are pioneers whoshall help to transformMathematics Education.

You are pioneerswho will help to transform educationin Florida!

Thank you