Concept Maps in OneNote

[RM]

I am very close to start using OneNote. However there is one piece missing;
the ability to create Concept Maps directly in OneNote!.

Today I would have needed to create the maps in a different tool and import
or paste them into the OneNote document.

Microsoft does not really have any good tools for creating Concept Maps. The
nearest I can think of is Visio. However this is a very generic drawing tool
which is ineffective compared to dedicated SW such as CmapTools from IHMC.

It would be nice to have the same editing possiblities inside OneNote
without having to import/export the map from/to other tools.

(And please mind that Concept Maps are a slightly different concept than
Mind Maps, which also would be nice to have.)


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http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...8d59-0df573db5e9e&dg=microsoft.public.onenote

 

[exciter]

what is concept map?

 

[Josh Einstein]

I'm not familiar with Concept Maps either but I would like to see some cool
MindManager and OneNote integration. Really what I want to see is OneNote
become more of a binder for various types of "pages" like PDF/XPS/mind maps
and yes of course notes

 

[RM]

A Concept Map is a graphical presentation of concepts and where concepts
links together with linking words. Concept and linking words together forms a
preposition or an entity of meaning. The structure of a Concept Map is,
according to the latest brain research, a good model of how knowledge is
stored in the human brain.

Concept Maps are widely used in the academia to construct knowledge models,
especially in natural science to analyze and to explain phenomena. It has
proven to be a powerful tool in education, and especially for the science and
development in artificial intelligence.

It has some resemblance with Mind Maps (such as those developed using
MindManager from MindJet), however the MindMaps does not have linking words,
and they are strictly hierarchical, unable to produce a preposition (without
simulating linking words). There are also other tools like MindMapper which
does both mind Maps and Concept Maps.

I will suggest that you take a look at http://cmap.ihmc.us and explore the
maps they have published on the web. This company has also developed a free
Java based desktop application to develop and share Concept Maps with others
on the internet. Unfortunately the application is not very office compliant,
but it is very effective in what it is designed for.

This is the application I have found to be the most accurate of creating
Concept Maps developed by J.D Novak in the 1970’s. IHMC has also a lot of
articles published on their site regarding this topic.

web sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concept_map
http://cmap.ihmc.us
http://cmap.ihmc.us/Publications/ResearchPapers/TheoryCmaps/TheoryUnderlyingConceptMaps.htm

 

[RM]

Pardon my sloppiness; it should be "proposition" not "preposition".

 

[RM]

Concepts Maps are assumed to be a more accurate model of how the brain store
knowledge than the Mind Maps are. (Despite the name may indicate otherwise).

I also think that MindJet has developed a really high quality piece of
software with MindManager. For academic use however, I would prefer something
like the IHMC CMapTools to model complex knowledge.

I would off course like to see both in OneNote, as Mind Maps are simpler
they still be suitable for ad-hoc brainstorming and structured note taking.

I would also prefer a built in solution, and not as a COM integration with
another tool. Dependent links between files is problematic to maintain.
Storing information more than one place is also not a good idea in most cases.

See also my reply to “exciter†for more details on ConceptMaps.

 

[exciter]

Thanks for the nice explanation!

 

[Hector C.]

I am very close to start using OneNote. However there is one piece missing;
the ability to create Concept Maps directly in OneNote!.

I was looking for something like that too.

Today I would have needed to create the maps in a different tool and import
or paste them into the OneNote document.

Until I realized that wasn't OneNote goal. OneNote is good at note
taking. Concept maps have extra functionality. For example, you should
be able to rearrange the concepts when you include a new one. You cannot
do this on traditional paper. You would have to use your rubber and
erase and then redraw several concepts and links before you can
accommodate a new concept. OneNote is supposed to be mainly a
replacement for paper.

Microsoft does not really have any good tools for creating Concept Maps. The
nearest I can think of is Visio. However this is a very generic drawing tool
which is ineffective compared to dedicated SW such as CmapTools from IHMC.

I tested both Visio and CMapTools, and they both have their strengths
and weaknesses. With some (a lot actually) tweaking, Visio can be
brought to have almost the same functionality as CMapTools, but
CMapTools cannot get rid of the Java application feeling (yes, I did
test the standalone one). But even Visio does not work together with
OneNote the way you (we) would like.

It would be nice to have the same editing possiblities inside OneNote
without having to import/export the map from/to other tools.

Have you noticed that OneNote doesn't have COM support., it doesn't
import web pages exactly, it doesn't support pdf natively, it doesn't
even have programmable shortcuts? With all its shortcomings, OneNote is
a truly innovative product.

My way of dealing with the import/export issue is to create hyperlinks
to the original file below a screenshot/printout of the file. Sure it
takes a little bit longer, but I cannot find a better way.

If you decide to go the screenshot route, try SnagIt. I bought it and
I'm in love with it.

 

[Nacho]

Sure it would de good to have the ability to create mind/conceptual maps in
OneNote. I have to use Inspir8 for some drawings, MindMapper for others, but
I think OneNote, with a little developement can offer all in (onenote) one
place.
The way I make and take notes, and the future tendency is maps.

IFS

 

[Rainald Taesler]

Sure it would de good to have the ability to create mind/conceptual
maps in OneNote. I have to use Inspir8 for some drawings, MindMapper
for others, but I think OneNote, with a little developement can offer
all in (onenote) one place.
The way I make and take notes, and the future tendency is maps.

IMHO it would mean asking for too much.
Perhaps just adding a few additional shapes for drawing might be
possible. But ON simply can not have everything.

But you may post this as a suggestion for the next version in "Connect",
the place for submitting suggestions and bug reports to the developers
team:
http://connect.microsoft.com/onenote/
When done, pls drop a note with the URL in here so that we can jump in
and vote for your suggestion.

Apart: How about using "MindManager"? It comes with an add-on for
OneNote.

Rainald