Turn your notes into a Joseph Novak style concept map
Novak's concept maps connect ideas with labeled relationships. DeckOwl builds an editable mind map from your own PDFs and notes so you can reshape it and explore the links as you study.
What a concept map is and how to build one
Joseph Novak's concept map method began at Cornell in the 1970s as a way to track how children's science understanding changed over time. Each map places concepts in nodes and joins them with labeled links, so two concepts and the link between them form a proposition you can check.
- Concepts go in nodes, ordered from general to specific
- Linking words label each relationship
- Cross-links connect ideas from different branches
- Each link forms a proposition you can test yourself on
Labeled links
Every connection carries a short phrase, so each link reads as a complete statement you can check.
Hierarchy first
General concepts sit near the top, with more specific ideas branching below them.
Editable and explorable
Reshape branches, rename nodes, and explore each section at your own pace.
How it works
Upload your material
Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes, or photos of printed pages.
Review the map
Check the main concepts and links, then edit anything that does not match your course.
Study from it
Explore each branch, or turn the same material into flashcards and quizzes.
DeckOwl starts from a similar place. Upload your own lecture slides or chapter PDF and it builds an editable mind map of the main ideas, which you can reshape as your understanding grows. A mind map is looser than a Novak map, so treat the output as a first draft you refine.
The fastest way to learn the method is to make one from material you already have, then correct the links and add cross-links where ideas from different sections meet.
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Frequently asked questions
What makes a Novak concept map different from a basic mind map?
A Novak concept map labels every link so each connection reads as a statement. A basic mind map often radiates from one center without labeling the links between ideas.
How do I start a concept map from a textbook chapter?
List the key terms first, then place the most general ones at the top. Connect pairs with short linking phrases, and add cross-links where ideas from different sections relate.
Does DeckOwl export mind maps?
Exporting is a paid feature. The Plus plan includes PDF and DOCX export along with other formats, and the free plan lets you study everything in the browser.
Can DeckOwl read photos of my notes?
Yes. Photos of pages are read with text recognition, so you can build a map from printed pages you photograph.
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