Wiki for DLRL Virginia Tech: IsrConceptMapsC

CS5604 Spring 2009 and Concept Maps - IsrConceptMapsC

Note: CMapTools 4.12 will be installed on machines in Torgersen 1010. To get the latest version, see download information below.

Background: See ConceptMapBackground.
- [The class presentation on concept maps].
- Here is a [concept map about concept maps].
- Suggestions for [steps in building a concept map].

Tutorial: See http://pavo.ihmc.us/servlet/SBReadResourceServlet?rid=1068752655715_572370227_11182&redirect for an 18 minute Quick Time video presentation that introduces concept maps.

CMapTools: Cmap was developed by the Institute for the Interdisciplinary Study of Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC), established in 1990 as an interdisciplinary research unit of the University of West Florida, see http://www.ihmc.us/.
- Download Instructions: If you want to use Cmap Tools, and it is not running on your computer, please start with the download process, as on page http://cmap.ihmc.us/download/. Then you can run Cmap locally (or on your personal computer).
- Usage: An overview of main features and functions will be given in class. For details, please see the Help menu item in the Cmap tools client application.

Concept Map server Information
- Accessing your folder on the Virginia Tech DLRL (USA) concept map server
  - Go to "Shared CMaps in Places" under Views. You should see the Virginia Tech DLRL server (at the bottom of the list).
  - To access your folder, go to CS5604_S08-->Students--><PID> (where PID indicates your PID). The password to your folder is the same as your PID. You can change it later (see instructions below)
- Changing the password to your folder on the concept map server:
  - Select your folder and right click to get the context menu.
  - Select Permissions. You should see a dialog box with a table with your PID.
  - Select the entry with your PID and click the Edit button.
  - Click the "Change Password" button to change the password.
- Adding the Virginia Tech DLRL (USA) concept map server to "Shared Cmaps in Places" on CMapTools (for version 4.0X):
  - Go to "Shared CMaps in Places" under Views.
  - Scroll down the list. If Virginia Tech DLRL (USA) if it is there, select it and click OK.
  - If Virginia Tech DLRL (USA) is not there in the lest, select "Add a place that is not in the list:". Under "Internet Host Name:", enter boris.dlib.vt.edu and hit OK. You should see Virginia Tech DLRL (USA) under "Places" now.

In-Class Activity
- All group assignments should have a concept with the names of all group members. Place it at the top left corner of your concept map.
- Name your concept map as: Group_<Group_Number>_Chapter_<X>.
- Put your group concept maps on the server in the folder Virginia Tech DLRL-->CS5604_Spring07-->Class Activity-->Chapter<X>.

Assignment Submission
- On the top-left corner of the map, create a concept with your name and PID.
- Save the concept map, with a name of the format: <PID>_Chapter_<X>, where <PID> refers to your PID and <X> is the Chapter Number for which assignment is due. For every part of the chapter marked with "split" in the Calendar, name the maps <PID>_Chapter_<X>.1 , <PID>_Chapter_<X>.2 etc
- Submitting the concept map for evaluation:
  - Create a sub-folder called "assignment" in your folder on the concept map server "Virginia Tech DLRL" and copy the concept map that was created locally, into this folder.
  - If you are unable to save it to the server, export the concept map as a JPEG image file and email it to the TA. If there are more than one maps, export all of them and mail them to the TA.

Problems connecting to the server
- CMapTools installation in class:
  - After you login to the machine, you will be asked to enter your profile the first time you start CMapTools?. Enter the username and password that you use to access your folder on the cmap server - Virginia Tech DLRL.
  - This should give you access to your folder on the server and you need NOT enter the username and password again to access your folder on the server.
  - With the machines in the lab, you will need to enter your profile every time you login. Just make sure that the username and password are the same as those that you use to access your folder on the server.
- CMapTools installation on your personal machines:
  - The first time you install CMapTools, it will ask you to enter your profile. Enter the username and password that you use to access your folder on the cmap server - Virginia Tech DLRL.
  - This should give you access to your folder on the server and you need NOT enter the username and password again to access your folder on the server.
- If you forget your password to access your folder on the server, contact the TA and he will reset your password for you.

Evaluation of Concept Maps

Cmaps can be evaluated on many criteria. User studies, showing utility for various purposes and tasks, can be particularly helpful. Many devices can be used, in various combinations, to achieve a particular desired effect, e.g., providing a summary or study aid.
Presentation is one key area:
- Layout
  - Supporting habits like left to right and top to bottom
  - Clustering
- Color
  - Emphasis
  - Grouping
- Organization
  - Hierarchical showing taxonomy
  - Network/graph showing ontology or flow
  - Star or other schemes related to layout
Content is another key area:
- Coverage of material
  - Accuracy
  - Breadth
  - Depth
  - Detail
  - Terminology
- Use of auxiliaries (allowed by Cmap tools)
  - Notes
  - URLs for web pages related, typically as examples
  - Multimedia resources