Concept Maps as a Learning Assessment Tool

Abstract

Over recent decades, the process of teaching/learning has become ever more complex. The increasing school population, and the advent of new IT applications and of networking, together with the requirement for continuous training, have comprehensively overturned the simplistic approach to the process that had previously been pursued. As a result, the evaluation of the process has also been overhauled -having once been a selective practice, it is now considered to be an activity that generates quality in teaching. However, it appears that the tools used to carry out evaluations have been lagging behind in terms of innovation. In an effort to close this gap, the authors here offer a study of the possibility of using closed tests that can be analysed in terms of rigorous algorithms, are replicable through automated software and use the concept map structure in a variety of ways.

Knowledge evaluation procedure based on concept maps

“…The learning/ teaching process was, then, looked upon in a simplistic, linear way: the teacher transmits (and is the repository of) knowledge, while the learner is required to comply with the teacher and store the ideas being imparted. [15].Usage of concept maps may be very useful for students when starting to learn about a subject. The concept map may bring valuable general overlook of the subject for the whole period of study.…”

Concept Maps as a Tool for Supporting Knowledge Management in Collaborative Research Projects

“…According to Roberts (1999), concept maps proved to be a powerful tool that clari¯es misconceptions. Despite some applications in areas other than education, like in Cañas et al (1999) as an engineering tool, or Ruiz-Primo (2004) and Vecchia and Pedroni (2007) where concept maps are used as an assessment tool, or Fourie and Schilawa (2004) who used concept maps for knowledge management in banking and insurance, the literature review done so far does not give hints about the application of concept maps as a tool for supporting knowledge management and knowledge sharing in collaborative research projects.…”