Concept+mapping+software

1. Who Needs this Assistive Technology?
Anyone can use concept mapping software. It is great for students who are visual learners and also for those who have a hard time staying organized. They work really well for the absent minded student who has too many thoughts at once and has a hard time getting them done. A concept map allows students to only write a word or two and then quickly write another before it escapes them. Also, the concept map will help the student see what topics are stronger or weaker at a quick glance. It helps with time constraints so no extensive researching has to be done to see if an idea relates to the main idea or not. Concepts maps can be used collaboratively in a classroom so that students can feed off of each other and gain new ideas. Also, they are great for organizing papers and brainstorming. Brainstorming is the first thing people think of when concept maps come up in the classroom. The main idea goes in the middle and then anything possibly closely relating to that main idea goes all around it. It can really help students literally see how their abstract ideas all relate and connect to one bigger picture. Concept maps can be as big or as small as need be so they can be done anywhere at any time.

[|The Theory Underlying Concept Maps] [|What Is A Concept Map?]



==2. What is the History of the Assistive Technology?  == Concept maps were originated by Joseph Novak. He discovered them in the course of his research where he was trying to follow and understand changes in children’s knowledge. The program was based on the learning psychology of David Ausubel. Ausbel stressed the meaning of prior knowledge to develop understand of new theory and concepts. He wrote down information in a quick, organized structure that could be easily read and understood. Originially concept maps were only used with information that could be organized in a hierarchy. Joseph Novak changed that idea to incorporate any information that comes quickly to mind that may or may not relate to the bigger topic.

[|A Little Bit About Joseph D. Novak] [|A Little Bit About David Ausubel]

3. What Benefits does the Assistive Technology Provide?
Concept mapping provides many benefits to all people. One of its major benefits is that it is easily accessible. It can be done anywhere. All someone needs is an idea, a writing utensil, and something to write on. There are also programs that are designed for concept mapping. Some examples are: IHMC CmapTools software, Inspiration Software, and SMART Ideas technologies concept-mapping software. After navigating the sites, Inspiration seems to have the easiest student friendly software. There are a few different concept maps that the software provides. Users can either use Inspiration and type in their ideas and simples explanations or use Kidspiration where pictures and words are provided to fill in the map. The pictures and colorful text are available in both programs but in the Kidspiration one they are more simplified and basic. Some other benefits are as follows: Easily readable, quick to draw out, simple, organized, help gain organizational skills, and clearly shows how one idea/thought is related to another.



[|Cmap Website] [|Inspiration Website] [|SMART Technology Website]

4. How Does the Assistive Technology Work?
Concept mapping is an easy tool to understand. Usually it starts with a main idea in the middle such as “Things I Like to Do”. Then, anything that falls under that category is written down either in a hierarchy fashion (example: Things I like to do the most to the least) or written down at random when they come to mind. For example if “reading” is written down then new ideas can stem off of that such as favorite books, magazines, or authors. The concept map can go on and on until ideas are all exhausted. Lastly, the map is a visual aid to see how all of the different activities are linked together in one way or another. If the concept mapping is being done by hand then all that is need is something to write with and on. On most mapping software the program will ask how many "sub-bubbles" the user wants and then they are filled in or the user can go 'free hand' and everywhere they click a bubble is created and the lines are connected as they go or at a later time. The user can simply just click inside the bubbles to type. Many of the software is different though so tutorials and guided practice would be a good idea for starting off.

[|How To With Examples] [|How To With NO Pictures]

5. Exemplary Examples of How the Assistive Technology Would be Integrated into an English Classroom.

 * Teachers can write one collaboratively on the board so the whole class can see it and bounce ideas off of each other.
 * Students can use them in groups and work together in smaller groups.
 * They can be used to Brainstorm about a specific book to generate different themes, character development, plot development, and any other events or useful topics.
 * They can be used to Brainstorm any topic in general to connect ideas and see what clusters of information would be more useful and what clusters can be thrown out.
 * They can be used for organizational purpose.
 * They can be used after a paper is written to see if each paragraph is fully developed or if it needs more or less information.



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