They're easy . . . concept maps are merely simple sketches that summarize the elements of a concept. Concept maps can also show how different concepts relate to each other.
By drawing out a concept, you are arranging ideas in the way that your mind works. It's how you picture an idea, not how your teacher or your textbook author visualizes that idea. Therefore, it makes the concept easy for you to understand and remember.
As you construct a concept map, you may run into spots where you're not quite sure how things fit together. That's great! This shows you where your "weak spot" is with the concept . . . something you may not have discovered until you faced it in a test. But when you face it in a concept map, you can stop and figure it out. You can even take your map to your instructor, your tutor, or your study group and ask for help in figuring it out. Then you'll "own" the concept and will not likely forget it.
Because it's a picture of a concept, a concept map helps you recall a concept easily. You'll have the concept stored in your mind as a picture that makes sense to you. Memory experts tell us that pictures of concepts help us recall those concepts.
If you are primarily a visual learner or kinesthetic learner (or both), then concept maps may become a favorite (and efficient) way of learning A&P!
However, if you've never made a concept map, it may be hard to figure out where to start . . . HOW to start. So here's a short video that shows you an easy way to get started . . .
Check out this pencast on how to start a concept map.
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