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Turn your lecture notes into a concept map you can study from

Printed templates won't match your course. DeckOwl builds a mind map from your own slides, readings, or photos of pages, so you can explore each branch and edit it as you learn.

Create mind maps nowFree · No credit card required

Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

Free account · 3 sets a month · Creates mind maps in seconds

Why a custom guide beats a generic one

A concept map study guide is most useful when it reflects your own lectures and readings, not a template written for a different course. Pre-made maps often skip the terms your instructor stressed or include ideas you never covered.

Works with PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, plain notes, and photos of pages
Mind maps you can expand, collapse, and edit before studying
Free plan includes 3 generations per month, with no credit card needed
Plus adds unlimited generations and PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV export

Example biology concept map branches (topic chosen for this guide)

Light-dependent reactionsOccur in thylakoid membranes · Split water and release oxygen · Produce ATP and NADPH

Calvin cycleTakes place in the stroma · Fixes CO2 using the enzyme RuBisCO · Uses ATP and NADPH to build sugar

Mitosis phasesProphase: chromosomes condense · Metaphase: chromosomes align at the center · Anaphase: sister chromatids separate · Telophase: nuclear envelopes re-form

Cellular respirationGlycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm · Krebs cycle runs in the mitochondrial matrix · Electron transport chain works across the inner membrane

Plant cell organellesChloroplasts carry out photosynthesis · Large central vacuole stores water · Rigid cell wall gives structural support

Generate the full set

Built from your material

Upload PDFs, DOCX or PPTX files, plain notes, or photos of pages. The map reflects what your instructor actually covered.

Explorable branches

Expand or collapse any branch to focus on one idea at a time, and see how subtopics connect to the main concept.

Editable and reusable

Rename nodes, add links, or reorganize the layout before you study. Keep the map as a review guide for exams.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, document, slide deck, or text file. Photos of pages are read with text recognition.

Generate the map

DeckOwl organizes the material into a central concept with main branches and supporting points.

Study and revise

Explore the branches, edit anything that looks off, and turn sections into flashcards or quiz questions.

Building the map yourself also takes time that could go toward practice. Generating it from your material gives you a starting structure in minutes, and you can then rearrange branches to match how your class organized the topic.

Start with the central idea, then add the main branches and the evidence or definitions under each one. If something is missing, add it, then review the map from a blank page to check what you remember.

Explore related topics

Photosynthesis mind map study guide

Photosynthesis branches as a mind map study guide, and how to make your own from notes.

Anki-Ready Concept Maps from Your Notes

Turn PDFs and notes into an editable AI mind map. Anki export is on Plus.

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Turn your own BIO 189 module 1 notes into an explorable concept map.

Concept map from your notes with AI

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Concept Map Activity From Your Notes

Build a custom concept map activity from your own PDF or notes, editable and explorable.

Frequently asked questions

How do I study from a concept map?

Cover the labels and try to name each branch and how it connects to the central idea from memory. Then check the map and redraw it on a blank page to test recall.

How many main branches should a concept map study guide have?

Most topics work well with 5 to 8 main branches, each with 3 to 5 supporting points. If a map has far more, split the topic into two maps so each one is easier to review.

Can I try DeckOwl without paying?

Yes. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser, and you do not need a credit card to start.

Do I need Plus to export my study materials?

Yes. Exports to PDF, DOCX, Anki, and CSV are included with Plus, which costs $99.90/year or $9.99/month. Students with a school email get 40% off.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.