10 Concept Map Examples to Visualize Ideas Effectively

Understanding a topic or finding a solution, conceptual maps are your way to go. Add structure to your thoughts and explore interdependent connections between ideas with concept map examples.

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We use concept maps in school and at work. Concept maps are powerful tools to transform complex concept maps into intuitive visual diagrams. We can easily pass knowledge and ideas to others.

Concept maps are common and valuable to teachers and students. A concept map explains a complex topic more clearly than just words. Students can understand this concept in a shorter time. And concept maps are helpful to work. It helps employees understand this complex procedure or flow. Efficiency boosts!

In this article, we will share 10 concept map examples for both school and work. You can save time doing a concept map. With easy editing, you can share this decent concept map with others. Let's start!

In this article
  1. Ecosystem Concept Map Example
  2. Concept Map Examples for Educators
  3. Photosynthesis Concept Map
  4. Neoliberal Concept Map
  5. Network Concept Map
  6. Nursing Therapy Concept Map
  7. Rock Cycle Concept Map
  8. World War Concept Map
  9. Student Wellbeing Concept Map
  10. Bacteria Concept Map
  11. How to Edit A Concept Map Example

1. Ecosystem Concept Map Example

This ecosystem concept map is your biology 101 guide. The example offers a graphic representation of elements involved in an ecosystem, including organisms, ecology, and environment. Moreover, it includes examples for each category. This way, readers can better understand their role.

Teachers can substitute this example for the “Intro to Ecosystem” class to break the basics to students. You can also print the template and paste it on your classroom wall for students to return to the ecosystem macro concept whenever they feel puzzled.

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Tip:

All concept map examples are free to download. They're from EdrawMind's template gallery. You can download each example on your device and use EdrawMind Web or software to edit and make a concept map. All are free. Use it anyway.

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2. HRM Concept Map

The Human Resource Management HRM concept map is your go-to solution for learning the art of recruiting, hiring, and managing employees in a company. This HRM template visually illustrates the HR concepts and effective methods to execute them.

It is an all-in-one solution for new HR hires starting their professional lives. It facilitates them in deploying and handling the flow of employees in your office.

3. Photosynthesis Concept Map

Photosynthesis is the process of plants preparing their food. The photosynthesis concept map helps students actively learn it in detail through infographics. It depicts the conditions, reactions, and theories behind the process. Teachers can use this example as a worksheet assignment for students to effectively get involved in learning.

4. Neoliberal Concept Map

This neoliberal concept map example illustrates the cross-linkages between the democratic and liberal concepts in the international market. It clarifies how these elements interplay on the global stage to produce and distribute wealth. So, Econ or IR students who have difficulty comprehending the essentials of neoliberalism can use this template. It is an excellent substitute to understand the major powers' decision-making and its dependence on the wealth they control.

5. Network Concept Map

Understanding a concept map is a struggle due to its overlapping parent-daughter subtopics. But no longer with this example. It illustrates networks within a concept map and how they converge at the main idea. Moreover, the connecting lines’ labels aid you in better tracking each topic. Teachers can utilize this example to make students learn concept mapping. They can customize it to any preferred topic and expand on that.

6. Nursing Therapy Concept Map

The nursing therapy concept map is a graphic tool for taking care of dextromethorphan patients. The example explains the core concepts of therapy across three categories: decision-making, doing, and assessments. It also breaks down the dos and don’ts for effective facilitation, diagnosis, and rehab opportunities. This patient care plan further focuses on the responsibilities of a circulating nurse for minimal risk of breach of treatment protocols. Therefore, nurses can use this template to analyze the potential risk factors, medical history, and effective treatment options.

7. Rock Cycle Concept Map

The rock cycle concept map focuses on the relationship and positioning of three common types of rocks under the earth's crust: igneous, metamorphous, and sedimentary. It focuses on the formation process of each type, the effects of weathering, and the resultant decomposition. Science teachers can replace the traditional flashcard method with this template. This way, students can achieve clarity on their characteristics, placement, and formation.

8. World War Concept Map

The World War I example is a one-stop guide to understanding the first global war. It offers a breakdown of the war causes, years, actors, warfare type, and aftermaths. Similarly, it discusses how the war progressed over the years and resulted in massive destruction. It is an excellent substitute for teachers to cover history. Students can visually analyze the major countries and factors that came into play during WWI.

9. Student Wellbeing Concept Map

Here comes yet another concept map for teachers. It visually illustrates the factors that aid community involvement, professional leadership, and improved learning. The example further emphasizes the methods through which you can achieve favorable results. The student well-being/achievement concept map is a prerequisite for any educator to develop a curriculum. It can help them understand the needs of a student and include them in the study material.

10. Bacteria Concept Map

Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms. This conceptual map example is a quick stop for learning all about bacteria, its types, characteristics, magnitudes, and examples. It depicts the adaptive nature of these prokaryotic cells, how they are carried, and their purpose. Teachers can utilize this example for students' active learning about these organisms. They can print it in a hard copy and paste it into a classroom. Students can also take inspiration from this template and make their concept map by personalizing it.

How to Edit and Make A Concept Map

Now, let's say you download a concept map file above. What's next? In most cases, you need to add your content, right? So, in this part, let's see how to edit a concept map example to make a new concept map.

To begin with, we need a concept map editing tool like EdrawMind. This is also the one that provides these free concept map files.

EdrawMind is a very easy-to-use concept map tool. We don't need any practice or skill to use it. The interface is intuitive and easy. All options and buttons are easy to find. It also provides this drag-and-drop feature. We can adjust the relationships between two concepts by just dragging.

Now, download the software or try its online access. Let's start to edit and make a concept map file.

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Steps to edit and make a concept map

Step 1:Launch a concept map file with EdrawMind

If there's this concept map file on your device, download and install EdrawMind.When the process is done, double-click on the file to launch it with EdrawMind. By the way, there are more templates on the gallery. You can search and pick up a new one.

Or go to EdrawMind Online. Browse and select a new concept map file from the library.

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Step 2:  Edit the map

Open the map on the EdrawMind canvas. Let's start to edit the map.

To begin with, replace the text for each topic. Add your concepts. Also, to make each relationship clear, you can add anotations next to each arrow or line like "reason", "cause", "side-effect", etc. This helps the viewers to know the relationship of two concepts quickly without you saying.

Done with the content. You can choose to add or delete topics depending on your need. Add or delete arrows as well.

Then, adjust the layout, colors, styles, and fonts to give this map a good look.

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Step 3: Share the concept map

EdrawMind has several output options.

You can choose to enable the Collaborative mode for your team and share the URL to them. This way, they can access the map without downloading the software. They can view and edit the map with a browser.

Also, you can choose to output this concept map as a file. The file is editable on EdrawMind.

Or we can convert this map into a picture on EdrawMind. Note that the elements on a picture is not editable.

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Tips for making a concept map

Be it concept mapping on paper or a digital canvas, adopting some practices can make it less challenging. So, let us check them out.

Stick to a Single Central Concept

Sure, concept maps can have more than one parent-daughter problem set. However, most people confuse this with the root concept, which confuses the entire layout. Always make sure your concept map has a single key concept.

Use Linking Words

Linking words makes concept mapping stand out. It helps readers track the flow of each category. Also, adding supplementary information in the labels makes the map less cluttered.

Keywords

Concept maps are already stuffed. Adding long sentences to them is a recipe for disaster. Using accurate keywords for conveying information is better.

Color Code Categories

Colors are your savior in conceptual mapping. They can differentiate categories and aid the information flow. Therefore, when done adding text, the next thing to do is to color code each domain.

Use Templates

Starting concept maps from scratch is as scary as hiking a mountain. But no longer with visual aids like pre-designed templates. Beginners can utilize these examples to understand the layout, structure, and connection building. Gradually, they can shift to traditional concept mapping once they become a pro.

Conclusion

Though conceptual maps got recognition through education, they are widely popular across industries like project management, medicine, businesses, and IT. Now, concept maps are a staple for brainstorming, problem-solving, and decision-making. However, in a fast-paced working environment, no one has the time to learn, practice, and plot them from scratch.

What's better is switching to concept map examples. Today, advanced diagramming tools like EdrawMind have introduced pre-built map templates. With these, finding the right fit for your needs might not be as challenging. So, give it a try, and you may stumble upon something valuable in the examples gallery.

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David Miller
David Miller Oct 26, 24
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