How to make concept maps

After enrolling at university, you have understood how important it is to use concept maps to outline the concepts presented by your teachers during the lessons. Since you are allowed to take notes on the computer, you would like to contact your trusty “fellow student” to create concept maps using some ad hoc software. You know what I say? Sounds like a great idea to me!

While you’re here, let me give you some “tips” on how to make concept maps using free programs (at least as regards their basic versions) and online services that can be used directly from the browser. I guarantee you that, at the end of this reading, you will have a clear idea of ​​how to proceed. And if you need to create concept maps from your smartphone or tablet, you will find the list of apps in the last part of the guide very useful.

So, are you already in the “command posts”, ready to start? Fantastic! Make yourself comfortable, try the solutions listed below by following the steps indicated and then use the ones that actually seem most suitable for your needs. Happy reading and, above all, good work!

Index

• Cmap Tools (Windows / macOS / Linux)
• XMind (Windows / macOS / Linux)
• MindNode (macOS)
• MindMeister (Online)
• io (Online)
• App for making concept maps

Cmap Tools (Windows / macOS / Linux)

One of the first solutions I recommend you try to make concept maps is  Cmap Tools, a free program available for Windows, macOS and Linux (as well as iOS, in the form of an iPad app ) that is really simple to use.

Before guiding you in its installation and in describing its operation, I would like to tell you that this software can be downloaded for free only if used for personal purposes and that to work correctly it requires the use of Java (if you have not downloaded Java on your computer, read the tutorial where I explain how to do this).

Clear? All right, then let’s take action. To download Cmap Tools on your computer, connected to the program’s website, fill in the form located on the left by entering the required data in the appropriate fields – name, surname, email, the purpose for which you intend to download the program, the operating system for which you want to download it and so on – and click first on the Submit button and then on the orange button which indicates the name of your computer’s operating system (eg Windows 32 bits, Windows 64 bits, Mac OS X, etc.).

Once the download is complete, follow the simple wizard to complete the installation of the program. If you are using a Windows PC , open the .exe file appena scaricato, clicca sul pulsante Sì e poi su Next. Metti la spunta sulla casella I Accept the terms of the License Agreement e porta a termine il setup cliccando sul bottone Next per due volte consecutive e poi su Install, Next e Done.

If you use a Mac, on the other hand, open the file you just downloaded from the CmapTools website and follow the wizard that is shown on the screen: click on the Open and  Next buttons, check the  I Accept the terms of the License box Agreement and complete the setup by clicking on the Next  (two consecutive times),  Install, Next and Done buttons.

Once you have installed and started Cmap Tools, fill in the form that is proposed to you with the required data and then click on the OK button. Then double-click anywhere in the program window and add the first elements to the scheme.

To customize the elements added to the concept map, use the tools present in the tabs located in the Styles window, and more specifically: Font, to access useful tools for formatting the text; Object , to change the appearance of the elements present in the concept map; Line , to change the appearance and color of lines and arrows, and  Cmap , to change the background of the map and its overall appearance.

As soon as you are satisfied with your work, select the Export Cmap as item from the File menu and select one of the export formats from those available (eg image file, PDF, .svg, etc.).

XMind (Windows / macOS / Linux)

Another program that might come in handy for making concept maps is XMind, a semi-free software that can be used on Windows, macOS and Linux. I define XMind as a semi-free program because, although you can install it for free, to be used without limits you have to buy its Pro version, which costs 115 euros. The free version, in fact, does not include some advanced features, including adding audio notes, customizing themes and exporting maps in some formats, such as PDF.

To download the free version of XMind on your computer, connect to the program’s website and click on the Download button located under the box with the wording Free. On the page that opens, click on the orange Download XMind for Windows (exe) or Download XMind for Mac button  (depending on the operating system in use on your computer) and wait for the installation file to download.

If you are using a Windows PC, open the .exe file you just downloaded and click on the Yes button. Then click on the Next button, check the I accept the agreement box, click again on the Next button for another three consecutive times and complete the setup by pressing Install and Finish.

If you are using a Mac, on the other hand, open the .dmg file you just downloaded on your computer, move the XMind icon to the MacOS Applications folder, right-click the program icon and select the Open item from the menu that appears, in so as to “override” the restrictions applied by Apple to software from non-certified developers (you must do this only when starting XMind for the first time).

After installing and running XMind, click the OK button to close the program’s welcome window and click the New Blank Map button located in the center of the window. Then double-click on the item  Central topic present in the main node of the map and edit the text.

To customize the central node, right-click on it to display the menu containing the other customization options, thanks to which you can add topics, subtopics, labels and so on to the concept map.

If you wish, you can modify the concept map nodes and add extra elements to them using the buttons located in the toolbar located on the left or using the options located at the top (some tools and some functions have the wording “Pro” and are usable only for purchased the full version of XMind).

As soon as you are satisfied with your work, save the concept map by clicking on the  Export … item from the File menu   (or click on the paper sheet symbol with the arrow located at the top right) and select one of the formats available for export (e.g. image files , HTML , .docx , .svg , etc.).

MindNode (macOS)

If you want to make concept maps on Mac, you would do well to consider  MindNode, an application downloadable directly from the Mac App Store characterized by a user friendly interface that greatly facilitates the creation of concept maps and schemes. You can download the app for free and try all its features for just 14 days: to continue using it you need to purchase its full version, which costs € 43.99 and allows you to synchronize your work on the devices associated with your Apple ID. The app is also available for iOS.

To download the application, click here to connect to the MindNode page, click the View button in the Mac App Store and, once the MAS is open, click the Get / Install the app button. Once the download is complete, click the Open button to start it.

In the window that opens, click on the Continue button, follow the short tutorial to learn how to use the main features of MindNode, click again on the Continue button to conclude the tutorial and then click on the Free trial button (2 weeks) to start the trial of the application.

At this point, click on the (+) New document button and, as soon as you see the MindNode editor, double-click on the central node on which the wording Mind Map is present in order to modify its writing. Then click on the (+) button located on the main node and, holding down the left mouse button, drag the cursor to create a secondary node.

To customize the appearance of the concept map, click on the brush symbol located at the top right and, after selecting an element, use the commands located under the Shape, Border,  Font and Mind Map sections to modify, respectively, the shape of the nodes, the appearance of the edges, the layout of the text and the entire structure of the map.

As soon as you are satisfied with your work, click the Export as button from the File menu and export your work in one of the available formats (eg PDF, OPML, RTF, etc.).

MindMeister (Online)

Don’t want to download new programs to make concept maps on your computer? No problem, because you can rely on some online services that are just as useful: among these I point out  MindMeister, which allows you to create and manage concept maps quickly and easily. It is also available as an app for Android and iOS.

Before explaining how it works, I would like to tell you that you can use the service for free to manage up to a maximum of 3 concept maps; to break down this limit and to have access to the advanced features of MindMeinster, you need to subscribe to one of the subscription plans, starting from € 4.99 per month. All clear? Well, then let’s get down to business.

To create concept maps with MindMeister, connect to its main page and register for the service through your Google account or your Facebook account, by clicking on one of the corresponding buttons and then following the instructions you see on the screen.

Once logged into your account, click on the New Map link and select one of the available templates ( Blank, Brainstorming, etc.). In the page that opens, customize the template you have selected by clicking on the main node (the one located in the center), then click on the (+) button to add a secondary node and then type the text inside it.

To edit the text in a node, double-click on it and then type the custom text you want to replace the sample text. To delete an element from the map, instead, select it by clicking on it and then click on the prohibition symbol located at the top. To change the color of the text, the appearance of the nodes, the appearance of the lines and so on, use the tools located in the box located on the right.

When you are happy with your work, click on the cloud symbol with the arrow pointing down to export the newly created concept map.

Draw.io (Online)

Another solution that I recommend you to try is Draw.io, a free online service that offers many useful tools for the creation of diagrams, concept maps and diagrams. Its minimal and well-organized user interface makes it ideal for those who want to create concept maps quickly and easily.

To create concept maps with Draw.io, connected to the main page of the service, select the Italian item from the Language menu  (in the lower right corner of the box that appears on the screen) and then choose whether to save the work you are about to carry out on the computer or whether to save it to Google Drive or OneDrive. Then click on the Create New Diagram button and, if you want to build a diagram from scratch, click on the Blank Diagram button. If, on the other hand, you want to use one of the templates made available by the service, click on one of these and then click on the blue Create button.

As soon as you have access to the Draw.io editor, modify any elements already present in the concept map by clicking on them and then clicking on the buttons on the Style, Text and Organize tabs to customize, respectively, the style of the map, the layout of the text and its general appearance.

To add graphic elements to the diagram, instead, select the shapes located on the left and drag them to the point on the map where you want to insert them, while to delete an element from the diagram click on it and click on the trash can symbol  located at the top left.

When you are satisfied with your work, select the Export as item from the File menu and choose one of the formats available for export (eg PNG, JPEG, SVG, PDF, VSDX, HTML, etc.). Easier than that ?!

App for making concept maps

Sometimes it happens that you do not have a computer at hand and so would you like to make diagrams directly on your smartphone or tablet? Take a look at the following apps to make concept maps – I am convinced that you will find one that suits your needs.

• MindMeister ( Android / iOS ) – this is the official app of the online service of the same name that I told you a few lines above. It allows you to create and manage up to a maximum of 3 maps for free; to break down this limit and to unlock all the features of MindMeister you need to subscribe to one of the subscription plans (starting from 4.99 euros per month).
• MindMapper( Android / iOS ) – although this app is really simple to use, thanks to its rather minimal interface, it is really complete. It allows you to create schemes in a few taps and save them locally or share them through various cloud storage services.
• miMind( Android ) – this free application provides multiple layouts, shapes and options to create and customize concept maps. miMind also offers the possibility to export and share your own schemes in multiple formats.
• CmapTools( iOS ) – this is the mobile version of the program to create concept maps that I told you about in the previous lines. It allows you to easily create concept maps, diagrams and diagrams and then share them on the Cmap cloud (functionality available after an in-app purchase of € 5.49).

 

 

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