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Get concept map ideas from your own notes

Upload a PDF, DOCX, slide deck, or photo of your notes. DeckOwl turns it into an editable mind map you can explore branch by branch.

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How concept map ideas come from your material

Staring at a blank page while your lecture slides sit unread in a folder is a common starting point. concept map ideas usually come from pulling the key terms and their relationships out of what you already have, and that is the part a mind map generator can speed up.

Start with one central question or topic so every branch answers the same thing.
Keep each branch to a single idea, and label the links with short phrases that state the relationship.
Check the map against your source and remove anything that is not actually covered there.
Redraw the map from memory once you have studied it to see which branches you can recall.

Example concept map branches for Newton's laws of motion

First law (inertia)An object stays at rest or in uniform motion unless a net force acts on it · Inertia depends on mass · Balanced forces produce no change in motion

Second lawNet force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma) · Larger mass needs more force for the same acceleration · Acceleration points in the direction of the net force

Third lawForces come in equal and opposite pairs · The paired forces act on different objects · Both forces in a pair are the same type, such as contact or gravity

ForceA push or pull measured in newtons · Net force is the vector sum of all forces acting on an object · Unbalanced forces cause acceleration

Mass vs. weightMass is the amount of matter and stays constant · Weight is the gravitational force on that mass (W = mg) · Weight changes with local gravity, mass does not

Generate the full set

Branches from your material

The mind map follows the structure of your source, so main topics and subtopics come from your own lecture notes or textbook chapter.

Editable and explorable

Rename, move, or add branches to fit how you think, then click through the map to see how each idea connects to the next.

Study from the map

Turn any branch into flashcards or a quiz question, and use the mind map as a review sheet before an exam.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text file, or a photo of a page. Photos are read with text recognition.

Generate the map

DeckOwl proposes a central topic with main branches and sub-branches drawn from the material.

Edit and explore

Reshape the map, then study it in the browser or export it with a Plus plan.

Upload your PDF, notes, or photos of a textbook page, and the tool identifies the central concept, the main branches, and the smaller details under each one. You get a map that reflects your course, not a generic template, so the ideas you need for an exam are the ones already on the page.

Because the map is editable, you can remove branches that are not on your syllabus, add connections you noticed in class, and explore each node to check the wording. Working through the map this way is a good way to test whether you understand how the ideas link together.

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Frequently asked questions

What are good main branches for a concept map on Newton's laws of motion?

Use the three laws as the first-level branches, then add inertia, force, mass, acceleration, and action-reaction pairs as sub-branches. Connect each sub-branch to the law it supports.

How do I know whether my concept map is detailed enough?

Check that every branch can be explained in one or two sentences and that each link has a label describing the relationship. If you cannot explain a link, add a note or a sub-branch for it.

Can I export my mind map?

Exports such as PDF and DOCX are included with the Plus plan, which costs $99.90 per year or $9.99 per month. The free plan lets you generate and study in the browser.

Is there a free plan, and do I need a credit card to start?

Yes. The free plan includes 3 generations per month with browser study, and no credit card is needed to start.

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Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.