Concept mapping[概念圖繪製] 是將各種不同概念與其關係視覺化(Visualization)的一種技巧，概念圖是呈現概念間關係的圖解(diagram)。在概念圖中，標名(labelled)的箭頭線段連結各個概念，箭頭的方向表示往下發展的層次。這些線段的名稱會像是：「引發」、「導致」、「需要」、「提供」等等。

Joseph D. Novak於1970年代，在康乃爾大學(Cornell University)發展出概念圖繪製技巧。當時，Novak 將這種技巧應用在科學教學上，做為一種增進理解的教學技術。Novak 的設計是基於David Ausubel的理論(assimilation theory)。Ausubel 在此理論中，強調建構式教學(constructivism learning)的觀點，認為先前知識(prior knowledge)是學習新知識的基礎框架(framework)，並有不可取代的重要性。在 Novak 的著作 Learning to Learn 中，指出「有意義的學習，涉及將新概念與命題的同化(assimilation)入既有的認知架構中。」

概念圖被認為有助於創意發想。例如，概念圖繪製有時被用作為腦力激盪(brain-storming)的工具。雖然概念圖通常是非常個人化且個殊的，但是也會被用在複雜概念的溝通工作中。

形式化的概念圖也被用在軟體設計工作中。通常這種概念圖會以Unified Modeling Language(UML)的圖示系統作為開發方法中的表記系統。

在人工智慧與語意網路之類的研究中，概念圖繪製也被視為一種初階的「本體建構(ontology-building)」以表徵形式化的論證(formal argument)。

概念圖被廣泛的運用在教育與企業領域：

• 在文獻與相關資料來源中，進行筆記(Note taking)與歸納關鍵概念、其關係與階層。
• 創造新知識內容。例如，將內隱知識轉換為有組織的知識資源。
• 機構知識保存。例如，引出員工的專業知識。
• 協同知識塑模(collaborative knowledge modeling)
• 促進願景分享與組織間的互相理解
• 教學設計：被 Ausubelian 學派用作為進階組織工具，以提供後續資訊與學習的初始概念架構。
• 訓練：被 Ausubelian 學派用作為進階組織工具，以呈現工作情境，以及情境與其工作、組織的策略目的、與訓練目標的關係。
• 增進有意義的學習
• 溝通複雜概念與論題
• 檢驗複雜概念與論題的對稱性，以及術語聯結
• 詳述觀點的整體結構，串聯思想，或描繪論點，讓他人檢視。
• 增強後設認知
• 改善語言能力
• 評估學習者對學習動機、概念與概念間關係的理解程度

概念圖與心智圖(mind map)是類似的圖式工具，但是仍然有差別

心智圖通常會受到其階層(樹狀)架構的限制。

有研究證據顯示，知識在腦中是以命題為基本單位，採階層式儲存的。因為概念地圖的目的是反映知識元素的組織，因此能有助於理解(sense-making)與進行有意義的學習。

Concept maps were developed to enhance meaningful learning in the sciences. A well made concept map grows within a context frame defined by an explicit “focus question,” while a mind map has branches radiating out from a central picture.

另一個概念圖與心智圖的差別，是兩者繪製時速度與自發性的不同。心智圖反映心中所想的。而概念圖被認為應該是現實(抽象上)的概念地圖或系統。

• [http://ltsnpsy.york.ac.uk/conceptmapping/ Concept Mapping Website]
• [http://www.logo.com/twp/teaching_resources.html Free Concept Mapping Resources] to help teachers introduce young children to the ideas of Concept Mapping.
• [http://wiki.conceptmapping.org/ Wiki dedicated to conceptmapping]
• [http://users.edte.utwente.nl/lanzing/cm_home.htm Concept Mapping Homepage by Jan Lanzing]
• [http://cmap.coginst.uwf.edu/info/printer.html “The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How To Construct Them”], Joseph D. Novak, Cornell University
• [http://www.pavonerisorse.to.it/cacrt/mappe/ Italian Site on the Concept Mapping use in the school, by Marco Guastavigna]
• [http://www.graphic.org/concept.html Concept Mapping at the Graphic Organizer]
• [http://cmap.ihmc.us Institute for Human and Machine Cognition - Free Concept Map Tool]
• [http://www.ericdigests.org/1998-1/concept.htm Concept Mapping: A Graphical System for Understanding the Relationship between Concepts] - From the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technology.

• [http://www.mind-mapping.org Software for information organisation] A very complete list of mind mapping/concept mapping software.

There are several good freely available pieces of software that allow the creation of concept maps.

• [http://cmap.ihmc.us/download IHMC CmapTools] is a multiplatform freeware
• [http://www.compendiuminstitute.org/ Compendium] is a freeware concept mapper with database backend, written in Java
• [http://www.conzilla.org/ Conzilla] is a GNU GPL-licenced concept mapper written in Java
• [http://sourceforge.net/projects/tuftsvue/ VUE] is a desktop concept mapping tool developed under a grant from the Mellon Foundation. Written in Java, it runs on a variety of platforms.

There are many pieces of proprietary software (in alphabetical order) that allow the creation of concept maps.

• [http://www.topicscape.com/ 3D Topicscape] takes mind mapping and concept mapping into 3D with flying and zooming.
• [http://www.aibase-cs.com Aibase] maps combine colorful trees, concept maps, tables and more.
• [http://web.singnet.com.sg/~axon2000 Axon Idea Processor] is a Windows program developed in Prolog.
• [http://www.conceptdraw.com/en/products/cd5/main.php ConceptDraw] is cross-platform software
• [http://www.ConceptSystems.com Concept Systems Global] Sophisticated online group concept mapping, collaboration, and consensus development.
• [http://www.lets-focus.com/index.php?action=show&language=en&page=1 let's focus] Concept mapping and general diagramming, as well as visual metaphors and knowledge maps
• [http://www.matterandmotion.com First Diagramming] Concept mapping (and general diagramming) for Windows Mobile and SmartPhone devices
• Inspiration Software develops and publishes visual learning tools used for concept mapping, diagramming and webbing. [http://www.inspiration.com].
• [http://www.moresophy.com/networker/homepage/TopicPage.jsp?id=02t4o34l5106&language=en L4 Modeller] is a graphical modeling environment as a modular component within the KM platform L4 Semantic NetWorking of moresophy.
• [http://www.sebastian-krauss.de/software/ MyMind] is another Mac-OS-X-based concept/mind mapping tool.
• [http://nelements.org Nelements KOS] 3d concept mapping tool.
• [http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnigraffle/ OmniGraffle] is a Mac-OS-X-based concept mapper.
• PAUX PAUX is software to develop, manage and publicize dynamic individualized content by linking reusable semantic content objects semantically. These objects are to make knowledge available as filterable content for websites, Semantic Wiki, detailed-evaluated eLearning and individualized print media. The data model is a multidimensional concept map.
• [http://www.semanticresearch.com/ Semantica] is a Java-based concept mapping tool.
• [http://www.smartideas.com SMART Ideas Software] adds depth to visual learning with multilevel concept maps.
• [http://www.strategictransitions.com/aboutsupport.htm Strategic Transitions:] (Higher education 'TOC' templates)
• [http://www.logo.com/cat/view/thinking-pictures.html Thinking with Pictures] is commercial highly visual model mapping software for children running on MS Windows.