Much of the current thinking about knowledge revolves around the concept of constructivism. While this seems remote from the thrust of the Cmap, the ideas are important for self-learning.

1. We construct knowledge. Each of us turns information in knowledge that we can work with depending on the context, our past experience, our readiness to learn. When there are disagreements over meaning, the differences can frequently be traced to differing understandings, or knowledge construction because of different experience.

2. We think in terms of concepts. The relationships between concepts reflect how we perceive the world, and what theories we have as to how the world works. A high performer may not have greater skills, just a more productive way of linking concepts. Those who can see A, B, C and link to 'alphabet' will have an advantage over those who are only able to see discrete letters. Think of broadening the relationships in your thinking.

3. Knowledge in concepts is not linked in a linear fashion. Recognizing that enables one to create useful conceptual links to other topics in a field of endeavour.