Despite XMind is not a software exclusively dedicated to Concept Mapping like CmapTools, it can be very useful for building rapidly Concept Maps. Here are the 5 steps in recommend to follow in order to create a Concept Map using XMind.
You may also improve the visual aspect of your map adding color. You can see the final map below (click to enlarge it).
1. First Step
In my opinion, the first step should consist in sketching manually a map or a list of the key ideas and concepts. This gives you the opportunity to organize your thoughts and explore various possibilities.
2. Second step
Open a new blank map on XMind and write the main concept of your map into the central topic.
3. Third step
Insert quickly new concepts and ideas using the "CTRL + L" shortcut. Once you have selected a topic and pressed "CTRL + L", just click in the white space and XMind will automatically create a new linked topic. You can also link two existing topics using the same shortcut: select a topic, press "CTRL+L" and click on the topic you want to link with it.
Tip: Ones you have created linked topics, it is important to maintain the "Alt" button pressed in order to move them freely.
4. Fourth step
It is important to add short phrases on the relationships arrows between the concepts and ideas. You just have to click on each arrow and write a short phrase. XMind will add it to the relationship.
5. Fifth step
Complete the Concept Map with all the concepts and their relationships.
Tip: In order to balance your map, select various topics and use the alignment tool
(Modify-->Tool-->Alignment) to align them.
(Modify-->Tool-->Alignment) to align them.
You may also improve the visual aspect of your map adding color. You can see the final map below (click to enlarge it).
Comments
French people speak to french people..in english ;) !
Thank you for your post.
Many people don't really see the difference between MindMaps and concept maps. They are visual methods using basic linked informations. But we don't have tu use them for the same goal. For example (I show them during my formation sessions), I copied a part of the text about "water" on wikipedia. Here is the MindMap : http://www.biggerplate.com/mindmaps/yv2uvtc5/l-39-eau-mindmap and here is the concept map : http://www.biggerplate.com/mindmaps/5A1HSTZa/l-39-eau-sch-233-ma-conceptuel
Colors are just here to show the informations groups. When reading them, we can conclude that with the same informations, we can build several connections systems. What do you think about it ?
Best regards
Franck.
Firstly thank you for you very interesting comment. In my opinion, you're right when you suggest that Mind Maps and Concept Maps are not used for the same goal. Mind Maps are better for brainstorming, exploring ideas and memorization. Concept Maps are better, especially for Academic purpose, for organizing concepts (more than ideas), for example if you turn a mind map into a concept map it would be better to insist on concepts more than about ideas, data etc... and start from the most general a the top, adding more specific information at the bottom. Completing the relationships with short phrases is also important.
Cheers
Also, Concept Maps can be read as a set of propositions if you craft the 'linking phrase' appropriately.
Lastly, one of the wonders of XMind is that you can join your Concept map onto an ordinary mind-map and have spreadsheets and fishbones attached in other places.