Developing your Knowledge Mapping Skills using Compendium

Topic outline

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  WORK IN PROGRESS
  
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  Introduction

  
  
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  1 What is Compendium?

  • 1.2 The Compendium software Page
  • Compendium is a software tool providing a flexible visual interface for managing the connections between information and ideas...

  
  
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  2:What is knowledge mapping?

  • Mind maps area graphical representations used to generate new ideas from a main topic...
  • A Concept Map is a diagram showing the relationships in between concepts. . .
  • An argument map is a diagram that presents an overview of reasoning. It facilitates the ability to capture or construct arguments through a logical structure...
  • A Web map is a graphical and hypertextual representation of important websites often grouped together by categories...
  • A dialogue map is a visual representation of a conversation (a dialogue between two or more people) or can be a personal reflection (a monologue)...
  • It is also possible to produce a different style of knowledge map, similar to a combination of the ones previously mentioned, by capturing or presenting a series of resources...
  • These are exactly what their name implies: an opportunity to chart a piece of learning and capture resources that were consulted on that journey...

  
  
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  3: Compendium applications

  • A further education course will provide many practical opportunities for developing thinking. These will be integrated into activities such as: reading texts; doing in-text activities and self-assessment...

  
  
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  4: Accessing Compendium

  • To download and install the OpenLearn Compendium software you must be registered as an OpenLearn user...
  • Be aware that when you first start Compendium (and, thereafter, in terms of good housekeeping) you will be asked to establish a project...
  • Watch the following video. It introduces the main features of the software, outlines some of the fundamental tools available and will give you an idea of how Compendium works...
  • In Compendium your ideas can be expressed as icons or nodes. These can be moved around, and connected to other icons or nodes via links...
  • There are many different types of nodes. Compendium offers a basic set of nodes, see the table below for descriptions, and additionally it is also possible to create your own nodes...
  • Reference nodes are the way to link in documents and websites to your Compendium maps...
  • Notice how reference nodes are presented in Figure x...
  • Lists are an alternative way to view reference nodes. They can be used in many different ways...

  
  
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  5: Online help

  
  
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  6: Creating map content

  • 6 Page

  
  
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  7: Giving structure to thinking

  • 7: Giving structure to thinking Page
  • Two common thinking problems are: a feeling of not being able to 'see the wood for the trees', and difficulty in being logical and orderly. The key to solving them is being able to think about ideas and...
  • 7.1: Hierarchies of ideas Page
  • A useful way of giving sense and structure to ideas can sometimes be to see them in the form of a hierarchy. At one end is the ‘big picture’ (e.g. general context, principles, theories, ideas, concepts)...
  • 7.2: Other ways of structuring thought Page
  • Distinguishing between generals and particulars can help you in reading, note taking and writing for your course. But, looking at things in a hierarchical general-particular way is only one approach to...
  • 7.3: Systematic approaches Page
  • Having a systematic step-by-step process for thinking about certain academic tasks can be particularly useful so that everything is done as efficiently as possible.
  • 7.4: Visual tools Page
  • Organising thought can be assisted greatly by the use of visual tools. These can include diagrams, mind-maps, tables, graphs, time lines, flow charts, sequence diagrams, decision trees or other visual...
  • 7.5: Mind-maps Page
  • Mind-mapping can be a particularly powerful visual tool for shaping thought. The basic principle here is to note down the central topic or idea in the centre of a piece of paper and work outwards adding...

  
  
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  8: Analysis, argument and critical thinking

  • 8: Analysis, argument and critical thinking Page
  • In this section, we are going to look in detail at analysis and argument. Analytical thinking is a particular type of higher order thinking central to much academic activity. It is concerned with examining...
  • 8.1: Balanced argument Page
  • In many instances, we are not just concerned with arguing a particular case or taking a particular point of view, we are interested in looking at all sides of an issue and producing a balanced argument....
  • 8.2: Broadening perception Page
  • Particular perspectives and points of view underpin speaking and writing. Being successful at many academic tasks, including balanced argument, often requires us to be conscious of and to try to break...
  • 8.3: Academic arguments Page
  • You have looked at some examples of everyday arguments, now look at a short example of an academic argument.

  
  
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  9: Putting it all together

  • 9: Putting it all together Page
  • We have covered a wide range of aspects of thinking, particularly those concerned with clear and critical thinking. At this stage, you may find it useful to consider how ideas like these can be put together...

  
  
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  10:Further reading and sources of help

  • 10.1: Further reading Page
  • There are many relevant books available from libraries and bookshops. Here are some suggestions to start you off.
  • 10.2: Sources of help Page
  • The internet

  
  
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  References and Acknowledgements

  • References Page
  • Acknowledgements Page