Thinking Maps are a set of graphic organizer techniques used in primary and secondary education ("K-12"). There are eight diagram types that are intended to correspond with eight different fundamental thinking processes. They are supposed to provide a common visual language to information structure, often employed when students take notes.
Thinking Maps are visual tools for learning, and include eight visual patterns each linked to a specific cognitive process. Teachers may apply Thinking Maps in all content areas and all grade levels. The eight map types are:
- Circle Map
- used for defining in context
- Bubble Map
- used for describing with adjectives
- Flow Map
- used for sequencing and ordering events
- Brace Map
- used for identifying part/whole relationships
- Tree Map
- used for classifying or grouping
- Double Bubble Map
- used for comparing and contrasting
- Multi-flow map
- used for analyzing causes and effects
- Bridge map
- used for illustrating analogies
By linking each thinking skill to a unique and dynamic visual representation, the language of Thinking Maps becomes a tool set for supporting effective instructional practice and improving student performance. Teachers and students, therefore, independently apply thinking skills for their own learning while also having a common visual language for cooperative learning. By having a rich language of visual maps based on thinking processes, learners are no longer confused by poorly organized brainstorming webs or an endless array of static graphic organizers. They are enabled to move from concrete to abstract concepts, think with depth, and directly apply their thinking to complex tasks.
Read more about Thinking Maps: General Information, History of Thinking Maps, Educational Theory and Thinking Maps, Research and Rationales For Using Thinking Maps, See Also
Famous quotes containing the words thinking and/or maps:
“Learning without thinking is labor lost; thinking without learning is dangerous.”
—Chinese proverb.
“And now good morrow to our waking souls,
Which watch not one another out of fear;
For love all love of other sights controls,
And makes one little room an everywhere.
Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,
Let maps to other, worlds on worlds have shown,
Let us possess one world; each hath one, and is one.”
—John Donne (15721631)