Of concepts maps and popples

I thought I knew what a 'Concept Map' is, in fact I thought I'd made several.  Turns out I was wrong.....   
I'd assumed that Concept Map was simply another name for a Mind Map...  which it isn't.  This quickly became apparent when I looked at Bubblus and Popplet and their functionality was quite different from what I was expecting.  

Mind map - 2014 business plan

While both mind maps and concept maps are graphical means of organising and representing knowledge, mind maps are usually an exploration of a single topic, issue or problem.   They use colour, visual imagery and metaphors to explore associations and relationships to the central concept, placing emphasis on both creativity and logic.

Concept maps are logical, showing the relationship between diverse topics.  The connector lines are often labeled to define the relationship between the two topics connected, and cross links can be used to explain complex relationships.
 

Following is my concept map of Learning Theories created on Popplet.
While many concept maps are strictly heirarchical, with the key concept at the top of the page, I've chosen to employ a more circular design.

 

 Affordances of Popplet that I liked:

• The individual 'popples' or frames are very easy to resize.
• The frame colour can be changed, which allows a simple visual grouping.
• Pictures, photos or drawings can be inserted into the frame.
• The frames are easy to position and move.  So I could make the behavioural section very liner, the cognitive section a little more branched and the constructivist section much more freeform, according to how I view the theories.
• Popplets can be shared online, allowing collaboration. (5 free)
• Can post links or videos.
• Has ipad version as well as pc version.

Limitations of Popplet:

• The link connectors cannot be labelled.  This meant I included much more text in the frames.
• Text size is limited to three options so attributing images isn't easy.
• Connector lines are limited to straight lines which would make it difficult to show multiple complex relationships between frames at opposite sides of the concept.

If I were starting again, I think I'd use Microsoft Visio for its ability to label connector lines and to bend and layer connector lines, since that's such an integral element of concept maps.