One of the first steps is to encourage students to wander in groups and look carefully at the habitat. As they identify apparent patterns from their observations, the next step would be for them to suggest ideas as to what these patterns might indicate or why they occur. Once they have formulated what they consider to be a good hypothesis, the activity can be structured in such a way that they develop a method to investigate the hypothesis. With it users can capture both the main ideas and more detailed understandings. Semantic networks are n-dimensional with multiple views provided by the software.
Most semantic networks contain one to several hundred concepts.
Instructors can use this software in presentations in the classroom and on the Internet, as well as in construction of a study tool that students can use. Responses from a few 'pairs' can be shared with the entire class, or an individual writing exercise can follow.