Concept Map Model Explained With an Example
See how a concept map model links ideas with labeled relationships, then build your own map from your notes, a PDF or a topic.
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CogniGuide at a glance
- What you get
- Interactive mind maps of the main ideas and how they connect. Free: overview maps (detailed maps on your first 3 creations). Plus: detailed maps with supporting concepts.
- Exports
- Your first PDF or PNG export is free; Plus exports anytime.
- Price
- Free plan: 5 creations a week, up to 3 a day. Plus: $9.99/month or $99.90/year (USD; local prices at checkout).
- Sign-up
- A free account is required before you create anything (Google or email). No credit card.
- What you can upload
- PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), plain text or Markdown, and images (PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF), or type a topic. One file per creation on the free plan; several at once on Plus.
How it compares: vs Knowt · vs Quizlet · vs NotebookLM · vs Mapify
Build a Concept Map Model From Your Material
Turn lecture notes or readings into a linked map of concepts you can study and test.
Start from your own files
Upload a PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text or image file, and the AI extracts the key concepts.
Labeled links between ideas
Each connection shows how two concepts relate, which is the core of a concept map model.
Quiz and export the map
Turn the finished map into a quiz, export it as PNG or PDF, or share a link.
How to Make a Concept Map Model
Three steps take you from source material to a map you can study.
- 1
Add your material
Upload your notes or PDF, or type the topic you are studying.
- 2
AI builds the map
The AI picks out concepts and draws labeled links between them.
- 3
Study and expand
Expand branches, edit text, then quiz yourself or export the map.
What a Concept Map Model Shows
A concept map model is a diagram of knowledge in which concepts appear as nodes and labeled arrows show how they relate. It was developed in the 1970s by Joseph Novak and colleagues as a way to show what learners know. A useful model moves from general, high-level concepts at the top to specific examples below, and each link is a short phrase that makes the relationship explicit.
- Concept nodes: the ideas or terms, usually in boxes or ovals
- Linking phrases: short labels such as causes, requires or is part of
- Hierarchy: broad ideas at the top, details and examples below
- Cross-links: connections between branches that show deeper understanding
Use the model to review a topic, spot gaps in your understanding or plan an essay. CogniGuide can build a personalized concept map model from your own notes in a few minutes.
Explore related topics
Concept Map Model Questions
Answers about the model and how to make one with CogniGuide.
What is the difference between a concept map and a mind map?
A concept map uses labeled links to explain how ideas relate, while a mind map radiates from one central topic without labels on the connections. Concept maps suit explaining reasoning and cause and effect.
Who developed the concept map model?
Joseph Novak and his colleagues at Cornell University developed concept mapping in the 1970s as a tool for tracking how students' understanding of science changed over time.
Which files can CogniGuide use to make a concept map model?
You can upload PDF, Word (DOCX), PowerPoint (PPTX), text or Markdown files, or images, or simply type a topic and let the AI build the map.
Is CogniGuide free to use for concept maps?
Yes. The free plan allows 5 creations a week with no payment needed, and paid plans raise those limits. You can also turn a finished map into a quiz.