TASK: Concept Mapping and Problem Representation

Task 1: Develop a concept map with Word 2000 (Individual Work)

Concept mapping is an effective way to represent problem space and define the nature of a problem. It helps one to break down an entity and look into the interrelationships involving information. In this task, you are going to review and examine the IST 110 (02) model developed by Professor McNeese and construct a concept to represent the model. Part of the model has been constructed, but it is incomplete. You are asked to complete the concept map by revisiting the model and reflect upon the issues on the 3 legs of the IST Triangle: user-to-information, information-to-technology, user-to-technology. Through doing this task you will have a better understaning of what issues IST 110 deals with, and the objectives and goals to be achieved in this course. The objective of this task is to collaborate on an IST 110 (02) model represented visually. I will select some of the best concept maps that best represent the model and post it on the syllabus page.

Step 1. Download the incomplete IST 110 (02) model concept map and save it on your floppy disk or U drive. You must save a copy of the concept map.

Step 2. Read the IST 110 (02) Model by McNeese.

Step 3. List the key concepts related to user, information and technology, for example, input, output, processing; problems, contexts, situations, domains, field of practices, etc.

Step 4. Continue to work on the downloaded concept map and finish it according to what you interpret about the IST 110 (02) model. The concept map must have at least 2 levels, however, it can go beyond to 3 levels, the more nodes there are, the more elaborated is your thought.

Step 5. Turn in a copy of the hard copy of the concept map. However, you must save a copy on your floppy disk or the U drive.

Pair and individual work: Work in pairs in collaborating on generating the concepts. However, each individual must work on one concept map and complete it individually. The point is that every individual gets a hands-on experience in drawing the map.

Due date: The end of the lab. Format: a printed copy

***Note: Extension based on individual needs: 4:30 pm, Monday (2/219), E-mail to ge@ist.psu.edu. Please specify in your email Subject: "Lab 6: Concept Map 1"***

 

Task 2: Develop a concept map with concept mapping tool - Inspiration (Out-of-Class Team)

Use the concept mapping tool -- "Inspiration" to define the problem space (or, the entity) that your team is working on for Problem #2. If you have found a problem, this task will help you to analyze the problem by representing the problem space, the constraints, and contextual factors, etc. If your team has not decided on a problem yet, this task will also lead you toward identifying a problem to work for your Problem 2. This result of this task will eventually become part of Problem #2. In this task, you can but not limited to the following elements in your concept map, organized/categorized in a meaningful relationship of networks. You need to be as much elaborated as possible by including as many nodes:

• specific nature of the problem
• user's needs assessment
• contextual factors, constraints, uncertainty
• available information; missing information
• existing systems or technology
• goals and subgoals for the problem solution; alternative goals
• etc.

The problem analysis/representation should be based on understanding, usefulness and usability

Due Date: Email to ge@ist.psu.edu by midnight, next Wednesday (2/21) by group. Please specify in your email Subject: "Lab 6: Concept Map 2". It must have the names of the members, and if you have a name for your group, provide the group name as well.

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OBJECTIVES

 After completing this lab, you will be able to:

• To use the drawing tool in the MS Word to construct a concept map
• To use a concept mapping tool to represent problem space and analyze interrelationships of an entity

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EVALUATION

Lab #6 is worth 0.5 point, with 0.25 for Task 1 and 0.25 for Task 2. It will be assessed based on the following components:

• The nodes of the concepts
• The level of the concept mapping
• Complexity of the map
• The clear representation of the interrelationships
• Effective visual representation through sapes, lines and colors

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LAB GRADE. Lab 6 grade will be posted here by Thursday next week (February 22nd).

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