What is semantic mapping primarily used for in education?

Semantic mapping is primarily used in education as a visual graphic organizer that helps students develop their vocabulary and understand the relationships between concepts. This technique encourages students to brainstorm and visually represent their knowledge of a word or concept, illustrating how different ideas connect to one another. By creating a visual framework, students can see synonyms, antonyms, related terms, and examples all linked together, which enhances comprehension and retention of vocabulary.

This method fosters deeper understanding because it engages students in actively organizing their thoughts and making connections between new terms and their existing knowledge. As a result, semantic mapping becomes a powerful tool for vocabulary building that can support reading and writing skills throughout various subjects.