1. Tutorials - the following tutorials can be used help with learning the software Inspiration.
• Inspiration Quick Start - a great starting point created by publishers of Inspiration.
• Inspiration tutorial - An simple quick tutorial, found on the web created by Tech Bytes.
• Using Inspiration in your classroom - a tutorial produced and maintained by Bill Byles, Educational Resource.
• Inspiration Website - the publishers Web Site.

II. Concepts Maps

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1. What are Concepts Maps?

• Concepts are learning tools.
• A concept map is a hierarchical diagram used to represent a set of concepts.
• Key concepts are connected by links with descriptive word, explaining the relationship between the concepts.
  
• Concepts maps are spatial representations of ideas and their interrelationships.
• Concepts maps are graphs consisting of nodes representing concepts and labeled lines representing the relationships among them.
• Semantic networking is the process of constructing these concept maps.
• Also known as:
  • Semantic networks
  • cognitive structures
  • knowledge structures
  • conceptual knowledge

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2. Why are concept maps effective tools for learning?

• According to Joseph Novak, concept mapping helps students learn meaningfully by taking new information and integrating it into prior knowledge.
  • knowledge in a concept map is organized semantically
  • Ideas are arranged in networks of interconnected and interrelated ideas.
  • promotes deep processing of knowledge, and better understanding.
  • promotes the ability to apply knowledge in new situations.
  • improves understanding
  • research suggests that concept mapping facilitates problem solving.
    

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3. What are some uses for Concept Maps or Semantic Networks?

• Study Guides, concepts maps are learning tools, a method for focusing the process of studying in a constructive way.
• Knowledge Reflection and integration tool, concept mapping provides a method for learners' self-assessment of their own learning.
• Concepts mapping can be used a planning tool, they provide a shorthand form for organizing and sequencing ideas.
• Concepts Maps can used to Assess Learning, concepts maps generated after instruction reflect the grown of knowledge of the learner.

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4. Tips and Coaching the construction of Concept Maps.

• Make a plan and set a perceptive for the concept map.
  - What are you representing?
  - What points do you want to make?

- What kind of information is needed to make the points?
- What goals are we working toward?

• Identify the important concepts.

- Have students list important concepts.
- Prompt students to highlight only single words or short phrases that are important for understanding the content, in textbooks, lectures or articles.

• Create, define and elaborate nodes.

- Create and label a node for each concept listed in step 2.
- Add pictures, descriptive text, synonyms, hyperlinks to each node when appropriate.

• Construct links and link concepts.

- Have students create a link between two concepts and describe precisely the relationship between the two ideas.
- What makes a "good link?"

~ Preciseness and descriptiveness. (avoid links such as "is connected to")
~ Be sure to interlink existing concepts as much as possible.
~ The more interconnected your map is the more meaningful your understanding of concepts will be.

• Continue to expand the map.

- The process continues until the builder feels the idea is explained well enough.

• Prompt students to reflect on the process.

- Reflections should be ongoing in the process of building a concept map.
- Students should be review their work and asking themselves.

~ Am I achieving my goals?
~ What changes should I make?
~ Am I answering the questions in my plan?
~ What have we learned on the content?
~ What do we still need to know?

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5. Evaluating Concepts Maps - The cognitive processes used by concept mapping are complex.

• Criteria that can be used to assess concept maps:
  • The number of nodes indicates the breadth of the map.
  • The number of node/link combinations indicate completeness.
  • The ratio of instances to concepts is an indicator of how well integrated the concepts in the domain are embedded.
  • The depth can be measured by levels of nodes represented.
  • Is the linking valid?
  • Are the relationships clear and descriptive?
  • The accuracy of the information included in the map.

   

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6. Advantages of Concepts Maps

• Concept maps are easy to use.
• Provide tools for spatial representations of content, which helps memory.
• Enhance comprehension and the retention of ideas.
• Demonstrate the interconnectedness of ideas.
• Concepts maps improve problem-solving performance in learners.

 

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7. Limitations of Concepts Maps

• Concept maps can not truly map ones mind, just what we think is in the mind.
• Concepts maps have a limited ability to represent causal relationships.
• Knowledge the concept maps represent is dynamic, it changes with the experiences and backgrounds of those producing the maps.

8. References:

• Computers as Mindtools for Schools, Engaging Critical Thinking, David H. Jonassen
• Classroom Ideas using Inspiration: For Teachers by Teachers, Inspiration, Inc.

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III. Examples of Concept Maps with Inspiration

• Projectile diagram, as Inspiration file
• Concept Map about Concept mapping, as Inspiration file
• Congress, as Inspiration file
• Functions, as Inspiration file
• Technology as a Tool, as Inspiration file
• Distance Learning, as Inspiration file
• What age is technology appropriate for?, as Inspiration file