How to create a concept map in WordPad

WordPad is a free program similar to Microsoft Word and available for all operating systems. Likewise, it enjoys unlimited options to complete a job , among them: write texts, format writings, storage, location, copy blocks of text, search for words, among others.

Index( )

1. What are the main elements that a concept map should contain?
2. How to start creating my map in WordPad from scratch?
3. What tools can I use to make my map?
   1. Shapes
   2. text boxes
   3. Smart Art
4. External programs that help me to professionally prepare a concept map
   1. lucidchart
   2. MindMeister
   3. cmap
   4. Creately

What are the main elements that a concept map should contain?

A concept map is a teaching or learning tool that consists of a graphic representation of a specific topic , it helps to organize and understand a concept in a simple way. Next we will tell you the main characteristic elements of a concept map:

• Main theme: You must identify within the text addressed the theme and the main idea that they intend to represent in the concept map.
• Connector: It is a specific verb or word that generally allows connecting all the elementsof the conceptual map with the topics through a straight line and a word that explains how they are related.
• Subtopic: They are one or several relevant concepts related to the central topic and essential to explain the main idea, it is recommended to organize them in a summarized waywith keywords.
• Element: Those details considered essential to understand the text.

You must take into account that you must raise the most important ideas at the top of your worksheet , until the less important elements that go at the bottom.

How to start creating my map in WordPad from scratch?

In this writing we will describe how to make a concept map easily and quickly in less than 5 minutes using office tools specifically with the WordPad program. To achieve this, you can insert formats from other programs such as Microsoft Word.

What tools can I use to make my map?

Shapes

With the shapes option you can have more creativity than the pre-established designs of concept maps offer in the different programs. For example, it allows you to create your timeline, you just have to access a WordPad sheet, select insert object, choose Word document, insert tab and click on the choice of form to choose the one of your preference.

text boxes

If what you want is to organize the texts that will form your concept map before the shapes, you can use the tool in the insert tab called text box. To do this, we recommend: open WordPad, insert object, select Word document, insert tab and choose draw text box.

Smart Art

If you prefer to work on pre-established formats , you must follow these steps: 1. Open a blank sheet of WordPad; 2. In the upper toolbar select the insert object tab. 3. Choose Word document. 4. Choose the SmartArt option in Word.

5. Select the hierarchical layout you want for your concept map. 6. Pour the theme and the topics to be addressed in the chosen design. 7. We save and close the editor document, so that it appears in WordPat. 8. If you want to edit something, double click on the image.

External programs that help me to professionally prepare a concept map

A conceptual map is a teaching/learning tool that allows you to break down and prioritize a topic to facilitate its understanding. It is therefore important that you know some websites that give you the opportunity to create or patent a conceptual map of a certain category.

lucidchart

It is a web diagramming tool that allows users from all over the world to work and collaborate in real time , said program works in all web browsers. Before accessing its official site, you must take into account that to enter Lucidchart you must have a Gmail account.

MindMeister

It is a website created to create conceptual maps, if you want to access you must: Enter with a Gmail account or Facebook account , dig a little into the maps that other users have created by categories, select the option to create a new map, customize it according to the tools it offers you, share it, download it or print it.

cmap

To use it you must access its official site, fill out a form with your personal data and Gmail account , download the version according to the capacity of your computer, open the program and use the palette of options it offers to create your concept map.

Creately

It is a fast and colorful online tool for creating concept maps collaboratively. In addition to this, it has more than a thousand tools to use, it is linked to Google Drive and Slack.