The IHMC Cmap Tools software lets users construct, navigate, share, and criticize knowledge models represented as Concept Maps. These concept maps can be saved in a public space for easy access. Users can edit concept maps collaboratively in real time from remote locations. When collaborating on concept maps, students have the unique ability to respond to each other’s ideas immediately. This means that misconceptions about relationships between concepts can be addressed in real time.
Pros: Students can save your concept maps on a public space. They can then access these maps at any computer that has a connection to the Internet. They can download the maps at home, personalize the maps, and resave them to their own hard drive, or they can collaboratively work on the map from remote locations at the same time. Changes to the concept maps can be seen in real time, and each correction or addition is stamped with a user ID of the person who made the edit.
Cons: If students save their maps on the public space, any user of Cmap Tools can open your concept map and look at it. However, they cannot join in the collaborative process or resave the concept map unless they have the password for the account.
Overall Impression: Cmap Tools is easy to use, and the concept maps are easily accessible from any Internet connection. Cmap Tools is a great tool to use in the classroom that allows students to connect ideas both on their own and with the input of others.
Retail Price: Free
REVIEWER: Lisa Carpenter, University of Michigan, Secondary Masters and Certification Program, Educational Technology.
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