>> Background to aMap and its uses in education
At its heart, aMap is about helping people get to grips with complex (or otherwise) issues and getting people thinking – so are ideal for use in the classroom for lessons like Critical Thinking and other philosophical based subjects . . .
The underlying structuring of aMaps is based around “informal logic” – this is the logic people use to argue in everyday life. Informal logic has a four-tiered structure:
- Your position (I think . . .) – what you think overall
- Propositions (Because . . .) – reasons that support your position
- Arguments (As . . .) – supporting arguments that back up each of your propositions
- Evidence (Supported by . . .) – supporting evidence to back up your arguments
>> Different ways of using aMap
Of course the best way of using aMap in the classroom is to use some of our “argument guides” – these are printed arguments layed out and printed on A3. Check out there series of pocket guides here – and if you’re planning to use aMap in the classroom at least buy a couple to see what they’re like and how you could use them – they’re really very cheap! Check them here!
>> Check our series of aMaps for use in the classroom here.
>> Using aMap to teach critical thinking
One of the most popular uses of aMap is to help teach Critical Thinking. So to help with this, we’ve created our very own critical thinking teacher pack, with critical thinking exercises and worksheets. These teaching resources can be used on their own, but preferably in conjunction with our “argument guide” series – which will really bring the whole lesson to life!
> If you teach critical thinking, then check out our critical thinking teacher’s pack
>> Using aMap to teach philosophy or theology
aMaps can be used to teach a whole host of other subjects too. Quick examples are:
- Teaching philosophy: we’ve developed a teaching resource based around Aristotle’s rhetoric. To check this, visit our guide to Aristotle’s rhetoric
> If you teach philosophy, then check out guide to Aristotle’s rhetoric
- Teaching theology: “Does God Exist?’ is one of the biggest questions in theology, and we’ve developed a printed “argument guide” on the subject. You can check out this guide to “Does God exist?” here
> If you teach theology, then check out “Does God Exist?” argument guide
>> Share your ideas of how aMap could be used in the classroom
We’d love to hear from educators to help us develop up aMap further to be used for formal educational purposes. We’re also interested in partnering with teachers / lecturers to help develop up a whole series of educational aMaps for the classroom.
We’re an entrepreneurial bunch so if you’ve got an idea of how aMap may be used in the educational environment then contact us at: Chris “AT” delib.co.uk
