Generative Topics

I found this terrific site that provides resources and tools to introduces, explains, and implement key features of Generative Topics for curriculum building. I love that it builds and builds on connections and interrelatedness of ideas. Sounds easy enough but really needs further class discussions to better understand how this works. It is rather all encompassing much like using a concept map but rather calling it an idea web.

http://learnweb.harvard.edu/alps/tfu/info3c.cfm

The pros for webbing is that it lets you think more broadly and deeply about 'generative topics' but as I see it, the cons is that it may be too much information and not enough time. In my experience, some students need more structured learning, scaffolding, and/or are not comfortable with open-ended thinking. Where to begin?