Concept Map Maker

How to Use the Concept Map Maker

1. 1. Start from a focus question. What should the map explain? How do plants make energy? tells you which concepts belong. Put the question in the title box if you want it above the map.
2. 2. Write propositions. Each line is Concept -linking phrase-> Concept. Read it aloud: Photosynthesis produces Oxygen should make sense on its own. Chain more concepts on the same line when the idea continues.
3. 3. Begin with the most general concept. The first concept written is the top of the map. A line that starts with an arrow continues from the concept that began the line above, so a long list of what one concept needs or contains stays tidy.
4. 4. Add the links between branches. When a concept in one part of the map relates to a concept in another, write that proposition too. The tool draws it dashed as a cross-link.
5. 5. Download. Take the SVG or PNG — with APA style figure on if it goes into a paper — or Copy as sentences to get every proposition as plain text.

What Makes a Concept Map

Concept maps were developed by Joseph Novak and colleagues at Cornell University in the 1970s, drawing on David Ausubel's theory that people learn by fitting new ideas to what they already know. Novak and Cañas (2006) describe the parts: concepts, usually nouns, in boxes; linking words on the arrows that turn two concepts into a proposition — a statement that stands alone; a hierarchy, with general concepts above specific ones; and cross-links, relationships between concepts in different parts of the map, which they connect with creative leaps in understanding. A map is normally built to answer one focus question.

Photosynthesis -produces-> Glucose
Glucose -fuels-> Cellular respiration
Cellular respiration -releases-> Carbon dioxide

How the Tool Decides Cross-Links and Layout

For each separate cluster of concepts, the tool grows a tree from the first concept written, following the direction of the arrows. Any link that is left over — one that joins two concepts already connected through the tree — is a cross-link and is drawn dashed. The layout puts each concept below everything that points to it, orders the concepts to keep crossings few, and gives every linking phrase a position on its arrow, so no phrase can sit on top of a concept. A link that points back up the map leaves and enters on the right-hand side. The result is the same for the same text, so you change the map by editing the lines.

Concept Maps, Mind Maps and Flowcharts

• Use concepts, not sentences, in the boxes. One to three words each; the linking phrase carries the verb.
• Reuse a concept's exact words. Oxygen in two lines is one box; oxygen gas would be a second.
• Keep it to what the focus question needs. Past 20–25 concepts, split the map in two.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a concept map?

A concept map is a diagram of concepts joined by labelled arrows. Each arrow's linking phrase turns the two concepts it joins into a short statement, such as Photosynthesis produces Glucose. Maps are usually arranged with the most general concepts at the top, and are built to answer a focus question.

What is the difference between a concept map and a mind map?

A mind map is a tree: every idea hangs from one central topic and the branches are unlabelled. A concept map is a network, so one concept can connect to several others, and every link is labelled with a phrase that says how the concepts relate. Mind maps suit brainstorming; concept maps suit showing understanding.

What are linking words in a concept map?

Linking words or phrases are the labels on the arrows — causes, is part of, depends on. Verbs and short verb phrases work best because they make each link a proposition that can be read, checked and disagreed with. A label like and or related to says too little to be useful.

What is a cross-link and why does it matter?

A cross-link joins concepts in different branches of the map. Novak and Cañas note that these often show new or creative connections, which is why teachers look for them when marking a map. In this tool, any link that is not needed to connect a cluster is drawn dashed.

How many concepts should a concept map have?

Enough to answer the focus question and no more — usually 15 to 25. This tool draws up to 50 concepts. A bigger map is hard to read, so split it into parts and link them with a shared concept.

Can I put a concept map in an APA paper?

Yes, as a figure. Turn on APA style figure, enter the figure number, and the number and title go above the image with any note below. Download the SVG or PNG for your document, and add a source note if the map is adapted from published work.