Concepts map an excellent technique and tool for teachers.

Let us start with history from WIKI “The technique of concept mapping was developed by Joseph D. Novak[6] and his research team at Cornell University in the 1970s as a means of representing the emerging science knowledge of students. It has subsequently been used as a tool to increase meaningful learning in the sciences and other subjects as well as to represent the expert knowledge of individuals and teams in education, government and business. Concept maps have their origin in the learning movement called constructivism. In particular, constructivist hold that learners actively construct knowledge.” In simple words the technique for visualizing relationships among different concepts is called "Concept mapping". Collaborative teaching and learning always need powerful methodologies and concept mapping is one of them. There are many websites which provide concept mapping tools free. One of them is
http://eduwithtechn.wordpress.com/2007/04/14/some-free-concept-mapping-programs/
You can also read material available on subject and try using them effectively. In industry every employee is asked to think innovative and come with innovative changes in products and processes to give better value added services at lower cost. The incubation of these thought can be done in concept mapping. You will find very interesting outcomes if it is used in really free flow mode, students do come with innovative thought process and demonstrate their creative thinking ability.
So, let’s start understanding first get into some concept mapping exercise and then start of your own. All the best.