Concept Map

In creating the concept map and using the topic of volleyball I was trying to achieve a way to describe the different concepts related to it in a visual manner. In creating the map it shows different types of volleyball and what’s involved. While creating the map I realized how much there could be included in it. It seems like a simple topic at first but while I was branching off more and more ideas came to mind. Between equipment, people, places, and types it can be extended to a variety of situations. The concept map helped to display the information in a much more organized way than the mind map. The main topic is clearly displayed with the sub-categories underneath. The words are easily seen because the lines cause our eyes to follow them to the next word that is then surrounded by a text box. It displays a network between everything while showing separation at the same time. In a similar way as the mind map, making this concept map made me realize there was more than I thought to the subject. I feel like I could have continued expanding and making more connections between things if I had gone further. The use of color assists in making connections as well. Some ideas stand out and show significance due to the color around the wording. A concept map is a good way of showing the inputs of a broader topic and how the inputs connect with one and other to create that larger image. In making this concept map it helped me to “see” all of the pieces that go into volleyball as suppose to just the game itself. Something that I’ve known for years but had never thought about all of the little things that are the make up of it.

Mind Map

Using the creation of a mind map I was trying to achieve a plan for my future goals. I’ve been having a lot of trouble lately figuring out my vision of my future. When I think about it my thoughts are scattered and have no direction or make much sense. By putting it onto I mind map I thought it would make more sense to me and give me the understanding I’ve been searching for.

For the first mind map I placed “the future” as my central topic. I put down the first things that came to mind, which were mostly physical things. My “AHA!” moment came to me during the first map when I realized that my map could basically go on forever. I have no idea about location, family, income, etc. in the future! I could never fit all of the possibilities. And everything I put down was very standard, broad topics, not personal ones. There wasn’t much color, not because it was my first map but because there was not much that came to mind when I made it. There were a lot of common standard things.

When I went to do the second map a few days later I didn’t think I’d come up with much but I realized my thoughts were very different then the first one. Instead of specific physical goals my thoughts centered much more on what I want for myself in the future mentally, emotionally, and what aspects of the physical things are important rather than the actual thing. I realized the colors I used in the second one were much brighter and energetic. I was looking at the future as an exciting time rather than the first one with uncertainty and wants and needs. This mind map exercise helped me to organize and understand my thoughts. My thoughts on the future are unclear because I still don’t know everything I want to achieve, I want to be successful and happy but how I do that could come in many ways. The mind map showed me the meaning behind what I thought might be my future goals. The color, space, and designs of the mind map made me realize what were actually more important to me than others.