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Concepts can be defined as objects, events, situations, or properties that possess common critical attributes and are represented by icons or symbols, such as key words (Ausubel 2000). Concept maps are external network structures that allow two-dimensional, spatial processing along preconstructed or to-be-constructed connecting lines. In its simplest form, a concept map would consist out of two concepts and a linking word for example “cats – are → mammals.” Although originally conceptualized as hierarchical structures (Novak and Gowin 1984), current conceptualizations use a broader scope that is the basis for the following definition: Concept maps provide an external network-like representation of knowledge structures. They consist of spatially grouped nodes with key words representing concepts, connecting lines representing the semantic connection of concepts, and labels on the lines specifying the kind of semantic relation. Careful...
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References
Ausubel, D. P. (2000). The acquisition and retention of knowledge: A cognitive view. Boston: Kluwer.
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Gurlitt, J. (2012). Concept Maps. In: Seel, N.M. (eds) Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_158
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