Concept Maps

By encouraging the use of concept maps by learners, the facilitator can help the learner “see patterns and access existing memory circuitry” (p. 263). Connecting information can help learners with recall.

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Learners can create their own concept or mind maps in order to link topics in ways that make the most sense to them. Individual content can help ensure better retention and recall for each individual learner.

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Multiple colors, shapes, lines, arrows, and many other markings give each concept map its own flavor. Not only will this make the map visually interesting, but it can also become a resource to which a learner can refer once they have left the classroom.

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Concept maps are a tool that I've used in classrooms for both customers and employees. The product that I provide training for has a wide variety of server and network components, communication protocols, and many other items. Our product documentation contains various line charts, but they're very flat, non-interactive, and can be rather hard to follow or decipher. By encouraging learners to make their own concept map, they can take an example of server architecture with them once they leave the classroom as a reference and a reminder of what they learned. 

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References:

Example of Concept map. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.scy-lab.eu/content/en/mission1/LAS_Reporting_expert/Assignments/A_Expert_cmap_3.html

Wlodkowski, R.J. (2008). Enhancing adult motivation to learn: a comprehensive guide for teaching all adults. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass