Thinking Maps
Encyclopedia
Thinking Maps are a set of graphic organizer techniques used in K-12 education . There are eight maps that are designed 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. Thinking Maps may be applied in all content areas and all grade levels by all teachers. The eight map types are:
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.
Thinking Maps are visual tools for learning, and include eight visual patterns each linked to a specific cognitive process. Thinking Maps may be applied in all content areas and all grade levels by all teachers. The eight map types are:
- Radial treeRadial treeA radial tree, or "radial map", is a method of displaying a tree structure in a way that expands outwards, radially. It is one of many ways to visually display a tree., with examples extending back to the early 20th century...
- used for defining in context - Concept mapConcept mapFor concept maps in generic programming, see Concept .A concept map is a diagram showing the relationships among concepts. It is a graphical tool for organizing and representing knowledge....
- used for describing with adjectives - FlowchartFlowchartA flowchart is a type of diagram that represents an algorithm or process, showing the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting these with arrows. This diagrammatic representation can give a step-by-step solution to a given problem. Process operations are represented in these...
- used for sequencing and ordering - Brace map - used for identifying part/whole relationships
- Tree MapTree structureA tree structure is a way of representing the hierarchical nature of a structure in a graphical form. It is named a "tree structure" because the classic representation resembles a tree, even though the chart is generally upside down compared to an actual tree, with the "root" at the top and the...
- used for classifying/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.