We believe that concept maps are an excellent tool for introducing, teaching, or reviewing evolution, or any other topic. The concept maps and outlines we have created offer several avenues for instruction. For example, the concept map can be used as:
a. A transparency to lead a review of material covered in an evolution unit. The map provides students with an alternative method of interacting with the information and a forum for asking questions about vocabulary, concepts, and interrelationships. An outline with additional notes accompanies each map.
b. A closed-ended worksheet or quiz, with terms on the map deleted from student copies. Students would have to "fill in" the symbol or link with a term that would be appropriate.
c. As an open-ended activity in which students were required to produce their own concept maps from scratch or from a list of terms or a basic framework provided by the teacher. This map could be made by hand or by using concept map software.
d. With Inspiration® software, teacher or student can interact with our concept maps. By clicking on a given symbol, the user is given additional information relative to the link or symbol. For example, on the "Definition of Evolution" map, when the user clicks on "prokaryote" a note comes up defining prokaryotes as "organisms lacking a nucleus, mitochondria, and histone-bound DNA. Includes bacteria." The notes can be easily amend notes to fit the teacher's definitions and emphasis.
Woodrow Wilson Index
