Concept map as a tool to assess and enhance students' system thinking skills

Mental models, cognitive maps, and the challenge of quantitative analysis of their network representations

“…Comparing maps against a “gold standard,” often assumed to be experts' maps (Plate, 2010), is one typical approach. Quantification of this approach entails assessing how well‐elicited maps match the “correct” map using content measures (Khajeloo and Siegel, 2022). The common content measures are vertex (node) and propositional (link) matching (Ifenthaler et al ., 2011) and structure matching (Khajeloo and Siegel, 2022).…”

“…The literature uses different terms to refer to these elicited mental models such as cognitive maps (Levy et al ., 2018), fuzzy cognitive maps (Aminpour et al ., 2020; Özesmi and Özesmi, 2004; Yoon and Jetter, 2016), concept maps (Brandstädter et al ., 2012; Khajeloo and Siegel, 2022; Sommer and Lücken, 2010; Yin et al ., 2005), causal maps (Plate, 2010), or causal structure diagrams (Naugle et al ., 2021). The differences between the terms commonly arise from the nature of the elicited maps, the method of elicitation, and the specific field of literature.…”

“…Quantification of this approach entails assessing how well‐elicited maps match the “correct” map using content measures (Khajeloo and Siegel, 2022). The common content measures are vertex (node) and propositional (link) matching (Ifenthaler et al ., 2011) and structure matching (Khajeloo and Siegel, 2022). However, these content measures are essentially assuming that the “gold standard” mental map exists and is available for comparison.…”

Fostering Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving in Programming: Integrating Concept Maps Into Robot Block-Based Programming

“…A large number of studies have described that integrating concept maps into instruction can be a potent instructional method for students’ organization and structuralization of conceptual materials, resulting in enhancing their high-order thinking skills (Looi et al, 2015; Ruiz-Primo et al, 2001). It is proven that a concept map can be one kind of metacognitive tool for improving students’ skills in complex problem solving (Kim, 2013), critical thinking (Rosen & Tager, 2014), and system thinking (Khajeloo & Siegel, 2022). Novak (1990) asserted that success in novel problem solving is significantly correlated with the obtainment of concept mapping scores.…”

Investigating online learners’ knowledge structure patterns by concept maps: A clustering analysis approach

“…Knowledge structure measures can assess learners’ conceptual understanding (Weinerth et al, 2014 ), identify knowledge loss and misunderstanding (Kim et al, 2019 ), predict classroom learning and achievement (Lopez et al, 2014 ), distinguish learners’ learning style (Hay, 2007 ), and describe cognitive status changes during problem solving (Hung & Lin, 2015 ). Recent studies have also used knowledge structures to evaluate learners’ higher-order thinking abilities, such as systematic thinking (Khajeloo & Siegel, 2022 ). Therefore, understanding knowledge structures is considered a more comprehensive way of understanding learner cognition (Kim et al, 2019 ).…”