Student Concept Mapping Activity and Exemplar

[C.J. McHugh]

During the week of Week 5: 8/5/11 - 8/11/11, please respond to this
discussion topic with the link to the student concept mapping activity
you created as well as the exemplar. (*Note: There are several ways
you can go about this, so please simply use a solution that works for
you. The most important thing is that we can access and clearly view
your activity. Just as an example.... you could create a new wiki
page, google doc, etc., put your activity there and then provide the
link as a response to the discussion.) Feel free to also provide
input concerning any likes, dislikes, questions, concerns,
constructive comments on peer work and/or the software you used to
create the activity. During week 6, we'll take some time to review
some peer work.

[claire grace]

shvibzik.isf info scavenger hunt final 9th.isf


Anastasia PowerPoint concept map.ppt


Needless to say, I'm sold on the concept map from Inspiration. I'll be
calling them or finding the software on line, if that's possible, to
get this product. As I need to teach in differentiated classroom
situation, this map system is truly going to come in handy for my
students. Plus it's fun to create and do! (I spent the all day Sunday,
incorporating it into many of my lessons for the different grade
classes -
especially for the slower learners, this will be a great way to teach
a lesson!)

There are a couple of awesome selling points:

A) conversion to PDF
Word
PowerPoint

is as simple as the click of a button!

B( I can use this on my computer/smartboard in the computer lab on
Thurs for info gathering and then be able to add to it as we
go along. Yea!

C) I was able to get it to my Wiki easily

D) Can be done as quickly as one needs or one can really take their
time and sink their teeth into it

E) If the clip art doesn't have what you need, you can open your open
files and insert items quickly

E) It was so simple that even I could use it!

Thanks for introducing me to this terrific option! I've created about
6 new lessons since I learned this on
Sunday-I can't wait to get back and use this in Sept.

Claire Grace

[Angela Byrne]

http://byrneangela17.wikispaces.com/Concept+Map+Activity

I chose to use Inspiration, since we already us it district wide. Students are exposed to concept mapping in the primary grades using Kidspiration, so by the time they get to the middle school, they are well versed in using the software. I've seen teachers get so much more from students using the software than they would with pencil and paper. It is so much more engaging!

[Angela Byrne]

Clair,
I'm not able to view your activity. Can you post a link?
Thanks!
Ang

P.S. I love inspiration too! As a reading teacher, I can think of a million different uses, and the templates gave me even more ideas!

[Malone, Hagar]

I posted my concept map on my classroom wiki at this URL:
http://hmalonetech.wikispaces.com/Projects

I am a firm believer of learning the past so that we can appreciate
the present and get excited about the future. It wasn't always like
this, but I have found the development of the computer from the first
counting machines to the present digital wonders to be very
interesting This is true when you can put these developments in
historical context. So I try to find different ways to expose my
students to this history. By using concept mapping software, I can
teach them how to use the software while sneaking in this history
lesson.

I have a copy of Inspiration on my home computer so that's what I used
to create this project. It's easy to use and if I need to go back and
add and/or edit, it's no big deal. Then just a click of a button, I
have a completed outline. That, too, is easy to manipulate because
you can drag an item to another place and drop it. I do not have
Inspiration available to me at school, so I will have to look at the
other resources provided to find one that will work for me. It will
help me add the missing organizational element to my Research
curriculum.

On Aug 9, 9:49 am, "C.J. McHugh" <mchughcornel...@hotmail.com> wrote:

[Malone, Hagar]

I have added my concept map to my classroom wiki at
http://hmalonetech.wikispaces.com/Projects

This project deals with Computer History. I am a firm believer in
learning the past in order to appreciate the present, so I try
different ways to sneak in a history lesson every year. With this
project, I can do that when I show my students how to use the
software.
I used Inspiration for this project. I find it easy to use and edit.
And then, with the click of a button, I have a completed outline. And
this outline is easy to edit with drag and drop. I have tried to use
a cluster diagram on paper to show my students how to create an
outline for their Research papers, but it was not a great success. I
hope using mapping software will be better. I don't have Inspiration
at school, so I will have to look at the resources provided to see if
I can find something else that will work for me.

On Aug 9, 9:49 am, "C.J. McHugh" <mchughcornel...@hotmail.com> wrote:

[Malone, Hagar]

Sorry--this was a duplicate message

[cgr...@stjw.org]

Ang,
Having problems with the link-go to my main wiki page-the map and
accompanying ppwt are under 7th Grade.

Let me know if you can view it there-I couldn't get it posted on the
discussion forum-not sure what I'm doing wrong
Let me know what you think.

Claire>

[Malone, Hagar]

Angela, I can't get into your wiki to view your activity.
Hagar

[cgr...@stjw.org]

I just tried to send you an invite into my wiki but it said your wiki
doesnt exist!
I know it does because I found it. Could you request coming to my wiki and
I'll approve you. Would love to have your input.

claire>

[claire grace]

I agree with what you said, Angela. Paper and pen has definitely
become 'old school'
Kids love to be on computer's and I think that we all can agree that
this concept map is definitely
easier, more fun, and very interesting versus just sitting and fill in
an outline.
I can't wait to get back and use this in Sept. Liked your concept
map. Are the students allowed to add
pictures and add on with sub categories? I think that the visual of a
picture would help the students remember items more readily.
Let me know what I could do with mine to make it better.
Keep on "mappin!"

Were you able to get into my wiki to see my stuff?

Claire

On Aug 10, 2:32 pm, Angela Byrne <angela-by...@esasd.net> wrote:

[Angela Byrne]

Hi Hagar! I sent you an invite to join the wiki. That should do it. :) Thanks!

[Angela Byrne]

sent request, thanks!

[Angela Byrne]

Your activity looks awesome! Students would be really motivated & engaged. What a way to rope them into writing, lol.
Yes students can add pics, its actually one of the requirements to find a pic that epitomizes the character trait.
Thanks for the input!
Ang

[Angela Byrne]

Hagar,
I can't access your map. When I click the link, I get:

Sorry, we are unable to retrieve the document for viewing or you don't have permission to view the document.

[J.Cogan]

Hagar - I get the same message.

[paul naser]

http://paul-n.wikispaces.com/Inspiration+Activity

I chose to use inspiration because it is something I have never used
before

I had students create a map showing different words to describe
different operations when writing equations
It is something that students can later have a copy of when working on
other assignments

On Aug 9, 9:49 am, "C.J. McHugh" <mchughcornel...@hotmail.com> wrote:

[sinisko...@pvbears.org]

Nice job, Angela! I enjoyed reading your concept map and directions/
objective. It is great for English--I just hope that I can come up
with some ideas for math!
Theresa

[sinisko...@pvbears.org]

Paul, I liked your concept map idea! Word problems always lend
themselves to many other ideas like your voice thread and concept map--
good job!
Theresa Sinisko

> > some peer work.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[rmacey]

http://www.pvbears.org/19332085132842350/FileLib/browse.asp?A=374&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=57247

I linked my concept map into my school website, the site should take
you to my Piano Lab page, please then click on Note Values (bottom
link.)

I also used Inspiration, but didn't like how difficult it was to get
my note values lined up and couldn't get them to link together to make
a chart the way I really wanted to and instead had to settle for
words.

I was only able to view Paul's so far - how did you save it as a PDF,
I couldn't get it and the help wasn't any help at all.
Rachel

On Aug 9, 9:49 am, "C.J. McHugh" <mchughcornel...@hotmail.com> wrote:

[cgr...@stjw.org]

Rachel,

If you make your map and then go to file as if you were going to save-the
PDF option comes a few lines down under 'save as' If you save to word
then you can also cut and paste it to a PwPT.
>
Hope this helps. Mine in on my main wiki page under 7th grade. I have it as
a PDF, Inspiration, and ppwt.
Claire

[J.Cogan]

https://sites.google.com/site/pvmrscogan/concept-map---words

Okay, so I enjoyed creating this Word map in Vue (once I figured out
its capabilities). I think this is something I will definitely use
with my class, however, I do have a couple concerns. I am worried
about Vue expiring. When I registered, it told me that I only had 40
days to use it, I'm not sure if it is something I will have to pay for
later. I am also concerned about students navigating the map. It is
large and takes up more space than is available on the screen. I
imagine this just takes experience with the program and teacher
direction.

I really liked working with Vue and I'm sure if I worked with it more
I would get more proficient. I was able to add links to sites that
would define my parts of speech (I loved this feature). There is also
the capability of creating a presentation but I didn't venture into
this.

One thing I did learn is that even if I don't use Vue, I think I can
easily recreate this at school using Inspiration, and I also came
across a great website that defines parts of speech is layman's
terms.

On Aug 9, 9:49 am, "C.J. McHugh" <mchughcornel...@hotmail.com> wrote:

[Drew Dymond]

I used inspiration to create a concept map. Students' will have to
manipulate the characteristics of the Isms and connect them with the
proper economic system. I guess the only way to do this is to have all
the students using computers with inspiration. I thought it was easy
to use once I figured out how to connect the concepts together. They
did not end up exactly how I wanted them but it works.

http://mrdymond.wikispaces.com/Concept+Map

On Aug 9, 9:49 am, "C.J. McHugh" <mchughcornel...@hotmail.com> wrote:

[Douglas Sherman]

I chose to use webspiration for this assignment. It is similar to
Inspiration, but it is an online application. Students can use this to
create their assignment without having to download anything, just
creating an account. However, it is a paid program, and I only used
the trial for it. I also could not figure out a way to get a link to
this post, so for now I downloaded it as a word document, and I am
including that link on my wikispace.


http://shermandasd.wikispaces.com/Assignments

On Aug 9, 9:49 am, "C.J. McHugh" <mchughcornel...@hotmail.com> wrote:

[Jason Smith]

I chose Inspiration since we have it on our school network and I have
had my students and myself use it before and I feel it is and
excellent program.

http://districtmoodle.ciu20.org/pv/mod/folder/view.php?id=97

If this link does not take you directly to the file, you may need to
sign in as a guest foirst and then scroll down to Chapter 2. It is in
the folder titled "Concept map assignment for CH 2"

jason

On Aug 9, 9:49 am, "C.J. McHugh" <mchughcornel...@hotmail.com> wrote:

[JerryLangan]

Sorry for the delay, I struggled with understanding the software and
was stranded away from home for 2 days with car problems.

Here is the link to my concept map:
http://langanjerry1.wikispaces.com/Concept+Mapping

Likes: I like that this type of software helps students organize
themselves. They struggle with the traditional outline but this gives
outlining a visual base that I'm sure they can relate to.
Dislikes: I found this type of software difficult to understand and
grasp for some reason. I spent two days just trying to create a map
and had to ask my wife for help.
Questions: Will the listed online concept mapping tools be blocked by
my district? Do I have this type of software on my school computer
already?
Concerns: My concern is that these softwares are not readily
available. Luckily my wife had Inspiration on her computer and could
help me with the software. I know that kids could probably pick this
up quickly but for some reason this seemed so foreign to me.

On Aug 9, 9:49 am, "C.J. McHugh" <mchughcornel...@hotmail.com> wrote:

[Angela Byrne]

Your link worked Jason, just had to sign into Moodle as a guest. Was wondering if each student would complete their own map or if you would have them work collaboratively. I'm science and math phobic, so it intimidated me, LOL.

[Jason Smith]

Hi Angela,
This assignment was to be done individual, however Im not against it
being collaborative. If it was to be done in class I would definitely
make it collaborative with groups of 2 or 3.
Keep in mind that these terms would be pretty familiar to them as this
would be a review type activity to make important connections between
concepts within a chapter.
Also, the example I gave did not use the exact terms as the
assignment. My fear is that if the example used the same terms, the
kids would too closely model the example and not create a concept map
that is unique to there understanding of the concepts and their
connectedness to each other.
It was only intimidating because you are unfamiliar as I would be with
a Shakespeare concept map.
I'm an English/writing phobic. LOL
jason

[Colleen Kingsbury]

Concept Map Assignment. For some reason I really struggled with the software to create a concept map. I looked into alternative free software and found that it was too complex for what it needed to be. I finally decided to use the Inspiration software, which was a lot easier to navigate and complete. In theory concept maps are not hard to create so I was glad this was easier to use. Also they only allowed me get the online free trial so I had a hard time posting and saving. it is on my wiki under unit 3, I also saved it in word, so attached is my file. 

Colleen 

[Colleen Kingsbury]

Oops sorry here is the link
http://kingsburycolleen615.wikispaces.com/Inspiration+Activity
Colleen

[Theresa Sinisko]

You can find my concept map activity on my wiki page at the link
below:

http://siniskotheresa2011.wikispaces.com/Inspiration+Concept+Map

I found the Inspiration software fairly easy to work with but I know
that it has a ton more features and can do a lot more than the basic
concept map that I am using it for. One thing that I find frustrating
in this course is the fact that most of this software we are learning
to use by trial and error or just playing around with it. For me,
that is an alright learning method but I'm a math teacher, and I must
admit that I like to read instruction manuals, etc. as a preferred
method of learning.

[Hagar Malone]

Sorry, I forgot to share.  You should be able to get in now