Concept Mapping Your Mind

Concept mapping reminds me of the grand old days of logic. I could see myself using this in my classroom in many situations. One of the major problems students have with mathematics is understanding the thought process and logic that goes with solving problems. I could use concept mapping to help my students hammer out logical processes.

Not only could I have my students map the steps for solving problems, but I could have them map the connections to other subject areas and other ideas within mathematics. There is a great number of ideas that transfer throughout subject matters. My students could show that through concept mapping.

Having my students use concept mapping to represent problem solving, connections to other subjects areas, and other ideas within mathematics has a great impact on student learning. Students have such a wide range of learning styles and preferences that this would allow for students that are more visual and tactile learners to learn.

Criteria for whether of not Concept Mapping activities would be part of a lesson would be include having the lesson have specific steps for learning. For examples, a Concept Map for solving word problems would be a good choice. Students would be able to walk through important steps. Another good lesson would be simplifying trigonometric equations.