Creating a concept map

There are many ways to create and present an electronic concept map. The basic methods are to use either:

1. Specialist concept mapping software
2. Existing software

1. Specialist concept mapping software

• There are three types of specialist concept mapping software programs which allow you to draw, save, edit, share, and export concept maps:
  • Offline, free - download and install
  • Online, free - create an account - e.g., MindMeister (recommended)
  • Offline & online, proprietary - purchase
• For more info on accessing concept mapping software, see Concept Mapping and esp. the page on Concept Mapping Software

2. Existing software

Microsoft

2a. Drawing the map

MS Word

• If the drawing toolbar isn't already showing in MS Word, select View - Toolbars - Drawing to switch it on.
• Draw a concept map using shapes and lines
  • R.click on a shape to "add text"
  • Consider adjusting fill, text, and line colours
  • Optional: You may like to select the whole map, by clicking and dragging over the area and then creating a group (i.e., so that by clicking in the area you select all the elements)

2b. "Capture" an image

Option 1: PrtScn (Print Screen)

• Display the map (e.g., using Print Preview and Zoom) at the size you would like it
• Press PrtScn on your keyboard (this pastes an image of the desktop to the clipboard)
• Paste the captured bmp image into a photo-editing program (e.g., Programs - Accessories - MS Paint)
• Select the area you desire for the image, copy and paste into a new image (there is no crop option in MS Paint). Then save as .png (preferably), otherwise .gif of .jpg.

Option 2: MWSnap

• If you're on your own PC, you might like download and install a free tool which gives greater flexibility and power for creating "screen grabs" - MWSnap.
• Once you launch this tool, it will allow you to capture different parts of the screen.
• Display your concept map in Print Preview (in MSWord) and the zoom level you desire.
• Use MWSnap to capture the portion of the screen you want.
• Save the image as a PNG file.

Option 3: MS Powerpoint

• The drawing and picture tools in MS Powerpoint have some advantages over MS Word.
• The main advantage of MS Powerpoint is that pictures can be drawn and then exported.
• Drawings created in MS Word can be pasted into MS Powerpoint and then saved as .png files
• R.click on a drawing in MS Powerpoint and select "Save as picture".
• Select .png

How to upload

• Create or edit a blog posting
• Click on the image/picture icon
• Browse to the image on your local drive and select it
• Upload (choose large size)

Testing and readability

• Carefully consider the readability of the image on the screen - how can it be improved?
  (e.g., You may consider uploading a smaller image size which links to a larger image size)
• Clearly presenting a smaller number of concepts might be more valuable than presenting a large number of confusing/difficult to read concepts
• If you have a complicated concept map, consider presenting it in an appendix, and presenting a summary in the main body.

Other ways

• Discussion on TALO