Embedded Tools: Concept Maps

John GeiserDepartment of Biological Sciences

Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI

Embedded Tools

Best of both worlds. • Class assessment and Research

assessment.

Assessment can be the same for both or different.• Generally better if different (personal

opinion)• Gets rid of bias of teaching to the test

ExamplesConcept MappingWriting AssignmentsJust about any tool

What is a concept map?Concepts – terms, ideas, phrase, concepts

Usually 1 to 2 wordsRepresented visually by shape with concept

inside

Tree Brown

LeafRoot

GreenBark

What is a concept map?Proposition – phrase giving meaning and showing connection between concepts

Represented visually by directional arrowLonger propositions are generally better

Tree Brown

LeafRoot

GreenBark

hasmethod of collecting

water and water soluble matter needed for growth

isis

has

Practice a Concept MapTake blank piece of paper.Identify 6 concepts related to your SoTL project.

Problems, questions, ideas, tasks, etc.Connect concepts with propositions.

Few minutes to get it mapped. GO!

Scoring a concept map

Does your map look like

these?

If so, time to do more work to get at deeper

understanding.

Scoring a concept mapTwo majors approaches1. Comparison to expert map of subject area.2. Design and use a rubric to score.

(Wallace 1990, Stoddart 2010 has much more involved process and reviews many others)

Scoring a concept mapRelationships: 1 point

Hierarchy: 5 points/level

Scoring a concept mapBranching: 1 point/branch

General to Specific Examples: 1 point

Scoring a concept mapCross-Links: 10 points/link

My ApproachLow stakes, studying tool, freshman intro majors bio, 300+ students

Concept Map topic, chapter, etc.

20 concepts as minimumPropositions between concepts (19 minimum)10 points out of 1000 total

Rubric

Digital Concept Map1. Free computer concept map software.

http://cmap.ihmc.us/2. Free online concept map software.

https://bubbl.us/

Many others.

Helpful References1. Allen, D., and K. Tanner, 2003 Approaches to cell biology teaching:

mapping the journey—concept maps as signposts of developing knowledge structures. Cell Biol. Educ. 2: 133–136.

2. Good, R., J. Novak and J. Wandersee (Editors), 1990 Special issue: perspectives on concept mapping. J. Res. Sci. Teaching 27: 921–1074.

3. Novak, J. D., 1990 Concept mapping: a useful tool for science education. J. Res. Sci. Teaching 27: 937–949.

4. Novak, J. D., 2003 The promise of new ideas and new technology for improving teaching and learning. Cell Biol. Educ. 2: 122–132.

5. Stoddart, T., R. Abrams, E. Gasper and D. Canaday, 2000 Concept maps as assessment in science inquiry learning: a report of methodology. Int. J. Sci. Educ. 22: 1221–1246.

6. Wallace, J and J. Mintzes, 1990 The concept map as a research tool: Exploring conceptual change in biology. J. Res. Sci. Teaching 27: 1033- 1052.