Description & Research
The Concept of Definition (CD) Map is one type of semantic mapping, which is broadly defined as a strategy that “uses lines and geometric shapes to show the relationship between concepts and sub-concepts” (Miller & Veatch, 2011, p. 15). The CD Map helps students examine words from multiple angles by incorporating three components: category, properties, and illustrations (Miller & Veatch 2011). The category is essentially the definition; properties include key characteristics or more clarifying information; illustrations are examples. A report published by Wiley on behalf of the International Reading Association (2011) asserts that this is an excellent method to teach students content-specific vocabulary in any discipline. For example, a science teacher could use it to help students see scientific processes or elements as they exist in real life. Students can use this strategy “before, during, and after reading to enhance students’ comprehension of a text (Urquhart & Frazee, 2012, p. 93). This is also a good strategy for students who are more visual learners because it allows them to use a graphic organizer in order to define words. Adding a visual element to vocabulary instructions can help students recall definitions at a later time (Dean et al, 2012, as cited in Urquhart & Frazee, 2012). The CD map also allows for students to gain more than a surface-level definition of a word. By defining characteristics and examples, students can gain a full understanding of the word and how it might be used in context.
Resources
http://www.readingquest.org/pdf/cdmap.pdf
http://www.readingeducator.com/strategies/concept.htm
http://www.inspiration.com/visual-learning/concept-mapping
https://sites.google.com/site/literacymath/literature-strategies/-concept-of-a-definition-map
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/word_maps
Video
This video that argues for the validity of concept definition maps, demonstrates a step-by-step way to utilize concept definition maps in the classroom, and shows an example from a science class.
The Concept of Definition (CD) Map is one type of semantic mapping, which is broadly defined as a strategy that “uses lines and geometric shapes to show the relationship between concepts and sub-concepts” (Miller & Veatch, 2011, p. 15). The CD Map helps students examine words from multiple angles by incorporating three components: category, properties, and illustrations (Miller & Veatch 2011). The category is essentially the definition; properties include key characteristics or more clarifying information; illustrations are examples. A report published by Wiley on behalf of the International Reading Association (2011) asserts that this is an excellent method to teach students content-specific vocabulary in any discipline. For example, a science teacher could use it to help students see scientific processes or elements as they exist in real life. Students can use this strategy “before, during, and after reading to enhance students’ comprehension of a text (Urquhart & Frazee, 2012, p. 93). This is also a good strategy for students who are more visual learners because it allows them to use a graphic organizer in order to define words. Adding a visual element to vocabulary instructions can help students recall definitions at a later time (Dean et al, 2012, as cited in Urquhart & Frazee, 2012). The CD map also allows for students to gain more than a surface-level definition of a word. By defining characteristics and examples, students can gain a full understanding of the word and how it might be used in context.
Resources
http://www.readingquest.org/pdf/cdmap.pdf
http://www.readingeducator.com/strategies/concept.htm
http://www.inspiration.com/visual-learning/concept-mapping
https://sites.google.com/site/literacymath/literature-strategies/-concept-of-a-definition-map
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/word_maps
Video
This video that argues for the validity of concept definition maps, demonstrates a step-by-step way to utilize concept definition maps in the classroom, and shows an example from a science class.