Engaging Students with Concept Mapping Activities

1. Post a 3-5 paragraph summary of the 3-5 ideas you explored for how you could use
Concept Mapping within your future classroom. Give your specific examples.

Kidspiration allows teachers and students to connect to technology in various ways. It creates a place for students to utilize their creativity and allows teachers to have a fast and efficient way to plan out activities.

Kidspiration is an engaging technology that can help children map out various ideas. One of the ideas explored on this program was the concept map for reading and writing. The reading and writing portion can be used for multiple things. Students can create a concept map that pertains to the book they are reading. The students could create a concept map that discusses the various characters throughout the book. Also, the students would be able to create a map on the plot of the book. Kidspiration is a perfect tool for students to use during reading and writing.

This program could also be used within the social studies portion of a classroom. There is a particular template that deals with various cause and effects. Students could take a particular situation and determine the outcomes. The concept map can include information of effects on people, the community and themselves. It allows students to map out events and the significance of them.

Kidspiration can also be used during math. The teacher could create various math problems or interactive story problems for the students. For example, there is a template that can have students determine how many apples can fit in the medium cart. They can use pictures to determine what the answer is, and then create an equation from the pictures. It allows students to use visuals and be hands on with story problems.

Science can also be incorporated with Kidspiration. There is a science section on the program in which teachers and students can create a template, or find a template that works for them. One in particular could be used in a future classroom setting. The classification template is a perfect template for various activities in science. Students could use this to understand the various differences between the animal kingdom.

Overall Kidspiration allows teachers and students to connect to technology. It can create an effective concept mapping program that can help students develop their learning even further.


2. Discuss what you see as the impact of the use of Concept mapping within your classroom might have on student learning? Give some details to support your statements.

The use of Kidspiration will create excitement within the classroom. Concept mapping that is interactive and exciting will increase student's excitement on learning. Students will have control of what goes in their concept map and can add their own flare.

Students are able to choose various templates, due to the subject matter. Kidspiration provides a numerous amount of templates for the student to choose from. It allows the students to choose the particular template that would work towards their learning matter. For example, if a student was to make a concept map for a character they could find the template on Kidspiration.

Overall, Kidspiration will bring excitement into the classroom. The students will have an easier, and more efficient time making concept maps. They are able to explore the program and discover what works for each assignment. It will enhance the students learning and create a positive learning experience.

3. Discuss some criteria that you would use to decide whether or not Concept Mapping activities would be part of a lesson for your students.

There is specific criteria to consider when deciding whether or not to use Kidspiration. First, it is vital to look at the lesson in general. You would have to ask your self if concept mapping would hinder the child's learning experience. Concept Mapping would only be effective if used appropriately. For instance, if a student needs to write an essay, concept mapping would be appropriate to plan out the rough draft. It is important to access the learning activity and the result that you are looking for.