UNR1102 - Creativity and

innovation
Dr. Radwa Ahmed Osman
Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)
e-mail: radwa.ahmed@aast.edu

Room: G201

© Dr. Radwa Ahmed Osman 2022 1

 Concept Map
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What is a concept map?

•A concept map is a diagram that shows

concept relationships.

•Most concept maps show ideas as boxes

or circles (called nodes) connected by
lines or arrows (also called arcs).

•These lines have linking words and

phrases that clarify topics.

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Concept maps VS Mind maps

•Mind maps •Concept maps

•Symbolize underlying knowledge, such as a theory or
•Used to develop internal concepts.
concept, which is mostly external.

•Represent a broader variety of tasks and concepts, •Represent academic knowledge, hence their use is
therefore their use is more adaptable. formal.

•Contain a single word, phrase, or image in the center of •Include general knowledge at the top and related
the map, with related ideas spreading outward. concepts underneath.

•Show themes with a single parent and multiple •Show topics with cross-linking and multiple
children. relationships.

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Key features of concept maps
•Concept maps have specific characteristics that
differentiate them from other visual tools:
• Concept
• Linking words/phrases
• Propositional structure
• Hierarchical structure
• Focus question
• Parking lot
• Cross-links
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Key features of concept maps - Concept

Concepts are defined as

abstract thoughts that
originate from conscious
cognitive processes that
can occur without
sensory stimuli.

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Key features of concept maps - Linking words or phrases

On the lines connecting items in a

concept map are linking words or
phrases that describe the
relationship between two concepts.

•They are brief and contain verbs.

Examples: "causes," "includes," and
"needs."

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Key features of concept maps - Propositional structure

Propositions, also called semantic

units, are two or more concepts linked
by linking words.

•Concept maps visually represent a

series of propositions about a topic.

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Key features of concept maps - Hierarchical structure
General, inclusive concepts are
at the top of a concept map,
with specialized, exclusive
concepts below.

•A concept map reads top to

bottom.

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Key features of concept maps - Focus question
A focus question defines the concept
map's problem.

•Creating a focus question helps steer

and sustain the path of your concept
map.

•The focus question should be at the

top of the concept map's hierarchical
structure as a reference point.
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Key features of concept maps - Parking lot
Before beginning your concept map, it
can be beneficial to list the main
concepts that need to be included.

•Create a list from the most general to

the most detailed.

•This list is called a parking lot because

you'll place objects on the map as you
figure out where they go.
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Key features of concept maps - Cross-links

Cross-links show how

concepts in different concept
map domains are connected.

•Cross-links and hierarchical

structure promote creative
thinking, and they often
signify creative moments.
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How to create a concept map?
•Identify key terms or concepts for your map.

•Arrange ideas to best reflect the information.

•Enclose an important term or concept in a circle or oval.

•Use single or double arrows to link related terms.

•Label the relationship’ link between two related terms with a word or phrase.
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Where to use concept maps to maximize creativity?

Reviewing Learning & Increased Better

knowledge retention productivity presentations

Ongoing
Clear Visualizing Quick
professional
hierarchy outcomes interpretation
development

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How can a concept map help?
•Consolidates and absorbs knowledge during the learning process.

•Defines knowledge that exists in your head but hasn’t been formally documented.

Integrates new and old concepts to better grasp the big picture.

Encourages collaborative brainstorming and creative thinking.

Fosters discovery of new concepts and their connections.

Provides clear communication of complex ideas to assess understanding.

Identifies areas that need further knowledge or review.

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 Vee
Diagram

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What is the Vee diagram?

•A Vee diagram, named

because of its shape, is a visual
representation of a complex
analysis.
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Why do we use the Vee diagram?

•The Vee diagram promotes understanding

between what is observable or known and what
needs to be understood.

•It's useful for multi-layered concepts in

educational settings to enhance students' thinking
abilities and attitudes toward deeper thought.
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Implementation of a Vee diagram

•Using a Vee diagram begins with a focusing question and then develops along doing
and thinking pathways.

•V diagram works as "thinking" and "doing". It starts with drawing a big V.

•Students write conceptual information “thinking” on the left side of the V and
experiment, while the project or problem statement stages “doing” are on the right.

•The diagram's middle contains the process's focus question(s), which is a dynamic
bridge between known knowledge and action-based estimations.

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Advantages and disadvantages of V diagram

Advantages •Disadvantages
•It is not suitable for projects where
•This is a highly disciplined model and
requirements are not clear and contains a
phases are completed one at a time.
high risk of changing.

•This model emphasizes verification and

•It does not support the iteration of
validation early, increasing the likelihood
phases.
of an error-free, high-quality result.

•It enables project managers to track •It does not easily handle simultaneous
progress accurately. events.

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Vee diagram example – Software development model

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Vee diagram example – Software development model
Design phase – Verification phase
Requirement analysis: This phase involves communicating
with the customer to understand their needs and
expectations.

•System design: This phase includes system design,

hardware setup, and communication.

•Architectural design: Modules with diverse functions break

down system design. The data transit between internal
modules and the outside world (other systems) is clear.

•Module design: This phase splits the system into modules.

Low-Level Design (LLD) specifies module details.

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Vee diagram example – Software development model
Testing phases – Validation phase

•Unit testing: Module design includes unit test planning. Unit

test plans eliminate code or unit-level bugs.

•Integration testing: Modules are combined, then the system is

tested. Integrated testing occurs during architecture design. The
test confirms module communications.

•System testing: System testing tests an application's

functionality and communication. It also tests the application's
non-functional requirements.

•User acceptance testing (UAT): UAT is done in a production-

like setting. UAT ensures the provided system satisfies user
needs and is ready for real-world use.

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HOW CREATIVE
ARE YOU?
STRETCH YOUR MIND
IN A GROUP

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Exercise one - Storyboard

Storyboarding can be a particularly useful creative exercise for

telling a coherent and interesting story.

Rather than presenting the story in paragraphs, draw each

scene in a series of small, rectangular boxes, like a comic strip.

You might discover a useful new step in the process that you
hadn't considered.

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Exercise one – Storyboard Example

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“Creativity can solve almost any
problem. The creative act, the
defeat of habit by originality,
overcomes everything.” George
Lois, 1931, Art Director and
Author

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