Constructing Good Concept Maps
In learning to construct a concept map, it is important to begin with a domain of knowledge
that is very familiar to the person constructing the map. Since concept map structures are
dependent on the context in which they will be used, it is best to identify a segment of a
text, a laboratory or field activity, or a particular problem or question that one is trying to
understand. This creates a context that will help to determine the hierarchical structure of
the concept map. It is also helpful to select a limited domain of knowledge for the first
concept maps.
A good way to define the context for a concept map is to construct a Focus Question, that
is, a question that clearly specifies the problem or issue the concept map should help to
resolve. Every concept map responds to a focus question, and a good focus question can
- 11 -
lead to a much richer concept map. When learning to construct concept maps, learners tend
to deviate from the focus question and build a concept map that may be related to the
domain, but which does not answer the question. It is often stated that the first step to
learning about something is to ask the right questions.