Concept Mapping Workshops: Helping Ocean Scientists Represent and Communicate Science

Sharing the Importance of Ocean Salinity Beyond the Scientific Community

“…Consistent with findings from previous work (deCharon et al, 2013;deCharon, 2014), participants in these webinars strongly supported the efficacy of concept-map-based presentations in clearly communicating complex ocean sciences research. The majority of participants (55.6%) who completed post-event surveys for SPURS webinars (n = 90) agreed that they were likely to use the concept maps in their work.…”

“…It focused on presenters' use of jargon, the clarity of concept maps presented, and the effectiveness of the "take-home messages. " Post-event evaluation surveys employed for SPURS webinars used the same rubric that was field tested during previous in-person workshops (deCharon et al, 2013). Figure 4 shows that the webinar presenters had equivalent success in using jargon appropriately (4.5 out of a maximum 5.0).…”

“…Concept maps and attached database resources were refined with presenters over subsequent weeks, usually via email. Earlier research indicates that the iterative process of concept map development benefits scientists by "identifying what they do and do not explain well" to nonscientists (deCharon et al, 2009).…”

“…Concept maps are powerful tools for visualizing, organizing, and linking ideas and processes (Fonseca et al, 2004;Preszler, 2004;Yarden et al, 2004). By displaying the relationships among concepts using connecting lines and descriptive phrases, complex science can be broken down into its constituent underpinnings, providing a type of "road map" for researchers to clearly organize and explain the logic of their work (deCharon et al, 2013;see Figure 1 for an example of a concept map). Concept mapping, a technique that was new to all scientists and engineers who participated in these salinity-related webinars (Table 1), is an empirically validated learning practice that effectively transmits information and builds critical thinking skills (Ausubel, 2000;PCAST, 2012).…”

Broadening the Impact of Graduate Education in the Ocean Sciences

“…Examples include (1) COSEE's Communicating Ocean Science courses, which have been institutionalized at over 30 colleges and universities across the United States and provide undergraduates and graduate students with training and practical experience in science teaching, communication, and learning theory (Strang et al, 2005); (2) (Reis, 2000) Workshop series, in which participants at professional society conferences (e.g., the biennial Ocean Sciences Meeting) are given tools and strategies for thinking creatively about how their research will impact their education goals and vice versa; and (4) innovative resources such as the online, concept-mapping tool that scientists can use to deconstruct complex content to help them communicate their research to non-expert audiences (DeCharon et al, 2013).…”