tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916781669467893615.post6993120072088415849..comments2023-10-30T02:39:17.358-07:00Comments on Food, Environment and the InterWeb: Concept Maps or Topic MapsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732454471654931599noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916781669467893615.post-43384198690648012572007-09-13T19:37:00.000-07:002007-09-13T19:37:00.000-07:00Well, that is what I was trying to ask the other d...Well, that is what I was trying to ask the other day when chatted, whether or not MindMaps allow for semantic linking.<BR/><BR/>As it stands I think MindMaps are pretty, but to me they are less readable in the sense that I'm unsure as to how pieces interact or how they are connected.<BR/><BR/>Looking at Novak's work and the types of examples he has generated regarding concept maps it seems to me that there is a basic order that one can follow as if reading a list of sentences about some interconnected concepts.<BR/><BR/>This is one reason that I used a concept map approach versus mind-maps in my thesis; mind-maps are pretty but (for me) takes a lot for me to get the meaning.<BR/><BR/>Now, the funny thing is that most people I talk to seem to find the opposite and perhaps that is highlighting some learning differences surrounding visual versus linguistic centered. I like both, but for some the injection of semantic relationships might blur the overall structure.<BR/><BR/>When looking at patterns I have to be able to conceptualize how they link. So simple words as you say, 'follows,' 'uses' or 'enables,' 'supports' brings a whole new dimension necessary for understanding systems based design. Plus, it is easier to then critique these assumptions and make adjustments based upon empirical observations.<BR/><BR/>Whereas without that additional information it is difficult to know what one intended after the fact when they asserted some sort of relationship.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02732454471654931599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916781669467893615.post-2048942708364839942007-09-13T05:52:00.000-07:002007-09-13T05:52:00.000-07:00I'm not familiar with topic maps, but we used Free...I'm not familiar with topic maps, but we used FreeMind mind maps extensively in the Learning Patterns project. <BR/><BR/>Concept maps seem to be semantically richer, MindMaps are inherently hierarchically. The richness of concept maps might come at the expense of readability / search / navigation. MindMaps lack the facility for structured lateral links. Ideally, I would like to see an extension of MindMaps which allows me to express specific types of cross-links, such as 'follows', 'uses' etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com