I am so incredibly late to this party, but I really wanted the opportunity to respond to this in hopes that you may at least have the time to read it, if not to respond to it.

You pose a question as to the definition of map awareness and pose two possible answers (while giving the option for an undefined third). To me, map awareness is not a one or the other sort of thing, however. It is a combination of both of the things that you mentioned and much more. However, the backbone of map awareness is and always must be choosing to look at the mini-map.

Allow me to elaborate. When I first started playing this game I was concerned about one thing and one thing only: what my champ was doing at that very moment. As I grew as a player I found that I could slowly add on to this. I could begin to anticipate both my teammates and enemies movements in my lane before they happened. I could begin to dodge abilities before my opponent even threw them out. I considered this to be another layer of the game that was now finding its way into my repertoire.

However, for the longest time, I was unable to predict when there would be an intruder coming into my lane and after getting ganked for the millionth time I said enough is enough. I forced myself to use that mini-map. At first, only as a sort of mini-game, or as you describe it, busy work. But as time went on I found that the mini-map offered so much more than what was happening right now. As I got better and better I would be able to take a look at the map, take a look at a warded objective and anticipate from that the jungler who was currently on the top side of the map would be heading to take his red buff then probably be heading to base or to the top lane to gank. My lane was safe from jungler pressure for at least a minute or so! Suddenly it was time to sweep dragon, push my lane up, take the dragon, then 3 man push mid. All of this from a quick glance at the mini-map and a couple of wards.

This was such a satisfying new skill to put in to practice wherever and whenever I could. It helped me to improve my game. It was something that I could be proud of. And if I forgot to check the mini-map? I would get burned.

I'm terribly sorry that I am so long-winded, but I tell you this story so that I can tell you this. If you give me the option of essentially having a free "jungle" alarm you are not only removing the first answer to what map awareness is that you supplied. You are removing the second. And any potential third, or fourth, or eightieth that may exist because you are removing the consequence. If there is no consequence to not checking that mini-map then there is no satisfaction from making strategic decisions based on the information that you glean from it.

It seems to me like you are trying to create this whole new item for essentially one champion. Evelynn. If I had to bet, you really just wish that you could go back in time and un-invent her. Her kit is designed to not have counter-play. But since that is not an option you want to do something to make her viable. I think that is a very noble mission, but this solution seems like it comes with too many consequences.

Anyway, sorry once again for the lengthy reply, and I wish you all the best.