Resource 6: Some ways to use concept maps

Concept maps can be used in a number of ways to assess your student’s understanding and support your teaching and their learning. Also, they do not always have to construct a map themselves. You can use concept maps in the following ways:

  1. Fill-in concept map: Construct a concept map and then remove all the concept words, but keeping the links. Ask the students to work out what goes in the empty boxes so that the concept makes sense. You can provide students with a list of possible words if they need help. This activity makes a good activity for revision and also helps those who find science more difficult.
  2. Missing links concept map: Construct a concept map and then remove all the linking words, but keeping the arrowed lines and concept words. Ask the students to complete the linking words. For those who you know are not as sure about the key ideas, you could give them the linking words and let them choose where to place them. This activity also makes a good group activity for revision and for consolidating new ideas.
  3. Skeleton concept map: Construct the concept map and then remove all the lines and linking words, leaving only the terms in the boxes. Students then complete the maps, deciding which links and linking words to add. This could be done in groups or individually, and is a way to find out who really understands. For those who do not find this easy, you may have to provide extra support to clarify their ideas.
  4. Guided choice concept map: In this approach you give a list of concept words. Students choose ten of these to construct their maps.

Resource 5: Mrs Kapur’s concept map