Concept map, tree diagram, scheme, venn diagram, time line

A tree diagram, schematic, Venn diagram, concept map or time line, are graphical tools that visualise relationships, processes, concepts and hierarchical structures. You can use them as a form of assessment by asking your students individually, or in groups, to create one about a particular topic or concept from the learning material. This will give you insight into the students' knowledge and understanding of the subject and you can give targeted feedback on the structure and content. You can also use it as a way to evaluate skills such as organisation, analysis, systematics and visualisation.

A tree diagram consists of a trunk (or main subject) and branches (or subtopics) that branch off from the trunk. You can use it to visualise the structure of a topic or concept. For example: "Create a tree diagram about the evolution of the Earth, including the different eras and the main events and organisms."

A Venn diagram consists of circles or oval-shaped areas that overlap, indicating the elements that appear in more than one group. For example: "Create a Venn diagram to compare the differences and similarities between the democratic systems of the United States and Canada."

A scheme can consist of different elements such as text, images, symbols, and connecting lines. There are many types of schemes and diagrams such as a flow chart, a mind map, a concept map, a timeline, a process diagram, and a structure diagram. For example: "Create a flow chart of the process of DNA replication."

Concept maps (a type of scheme) consist of concepts (represented as circles or boxes) and connecting lines (or arrows) indicating how the concepts are connected. The connecting lines may also contain labels describing the relationship between the concepts. For example: "Create a concept map on the causes and consequences of climate change."

Want to know more?

• Concept mapping - University of Wollongong Australia
• Draw a venn diagram - Cal State LA University
• Hay, D., & Kinchin, I. (2008). Using concept mapping to measure learning quality. Education + Training, 50(2), 167–182. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910810862146

See also: Argument mapping.

Tools: Google Jamboard.