Embedded Tools: Concept Maps
John Geiser
Department of Biological Sciences
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, 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
Examples
Concept Mapping
Writing Assignments
Just about any tool
What is a concept map?
Concepts – terms, ideas, phrase, concepts
Usually 1 to 2 words
Represented visually by shape with concept inside
Tree
Brown
Bark
Green
Root
Leaf
What is a concept map?
Proposition – phrase giving meaning and showing
connection between concepts
Represented visually by directional arrow
Longer propositions are generally better
is
Tree
is
has
method of collecting
water and water soluble
matter needed for growth
Root
has
Brown
Bark
Green
Leaf
Practice a Concept Map
Take 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 map
Two majors approaches
1. 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 map
Relationships: 1 point
Hierarchy: 5 points/level
Scoring a concept map
Branching: 1 point/branch
General to Specific Examples: 1 point
Scoring a concept map
Cross-Links: 10 points/link
My Approach
Low stakes, studying tool, freshman intro majors bio,
300+ students
Concept Map topic, chapter, etc.
20 concepts as minimum
Propositions between concepts (19 minimum)
10 points out of 1000 total
Rubric
Digital Concept Map
1. Free computer concept map software.
http://cmap.ihmc.us/
2. Free online concept map software.
https://bubbl.us/
Many others.
Helpful References
1. 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.