In looking for something different to discuss about concept mapping software this week, I came across this article which discusses incorporating multimedia into concept maps. The article makes the point that the purpose of a concept map is to "visually represent knowledge of a subject." It goes on to point out that in order to really represent all that we know about a subject, a concept map has to be more than just text. The article advocates for concept maps including not only text but images, sound clips, video clips, and hyperlinks. The example that the paper works with throughout is a concept map of horses. The article points out that:"one’s knowledge of horses might include not only what a horse looks like, but what a horse looks like when galloping and when trotting, the image of a jumping horse gliding over an obstacle, the sight and thundering sound of a group of wild horses stampeding across a sandy plain, the moving images of a wild bronco bucking in its attempt to throw a rodeo cowboy off its back, the sound of a horse 'neighing.' "
The article also makes the point that by using a multimedia concept map, the user will have a "more engaging user experience" and thus will be more engaged in the learning process.
The article goes on to introduce the multimedia concept mapping software that it recommends, Webster. I had never heard of Webster before reading this article, but I can certainly see for certain subjects, that having multimedia concept maps makes a lot of sense (for example, in a concept map of MLK, jr, being able to put a clip of the "I have a dream" speech).
The article also makes the point that by using a multimedia concept map, the user will have a "more engaging user experience" and thus will be more engaged in the learning process.
The article goes on to introduce the multimedia concept mapping software that it recommends, Webster. I had never heard of Webster before reading this article, but I can certainly see for certain subjects, that having multimedia concept maps makes a lot of sense (for example, in a concept map of MLK, jr, being able to put a clip of the "I have a dream" speech).
4 comments:
Natalie,
Great find on this article. I really like the idea of the multimedia concept map. Every other technology today incorporates sound, video clips, etc. with text so it seems silly to develop a technology that is only text-based anymore.
In reading this article, I like the idea of the multimedia outline using Webster. I have no experience using Webster but it seems like a useful tool, allowing the author to convert their concept maps into HTML documents so they can be viewed as webpages. This would be very helpful for students who have problems developing outlines. Often it's not the concept they have difficulty with but simply organizing it into a standard outline format. With Webster a student could create their concept map, organizing their thoughts and ideas in ways that make sense to them and through the use of graphic representation (if they are visual learners) and then have those ideas automatically translated into a working outline. The hyperlinks to images, audio, and video clips provide even greater depth to the outline text. This is much better than the old pencil and paper, text-only outlines of my school days. Wow! That makes me feel old! :-(
Elise -- while reading your comment, I started thinking how students could use a multimedia concept map to outline their digital story -- thus bringing our two technologies together :)
Nice idea about creating a concept map of a digital story. A multimedia map in outline form would function as a storyboard.
The use of multimedia will have a huge impact on how effective a concept map is. For me, just looking at a concept map, I know it is connecting some great ideas, but I have trouble feeling moved by it or like it is really educational. On the other hand, if someone walked me through one in a PowerPoint presentation, adding their little explanations and tidbits of information, I would get a lot more out of it. The multimedia bit can do this effectively if done well.
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