Concept mapping instrumental support for problem solving.

Slavi Stoyanov, Piet Kommers

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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    Abstract

    The main theoretical position of this paper is that it is the explicit problem solving support in concept mapping software that produces a stronger effect in problem solving performance than the implicit support afforded by the graphical functionality of concept mapping software. Explicit problem solving support activates cognitive functions such as knowledge representation, knowledge elicitation, knowledge reflection and knowledge creation. Concept mapping graphical instruction supports knowledge representation only. The paper reports on an experimental study that tests this assumption as measuring the effect of two types concept mapping software on problem solving performance, mapping production and perceived problem solving effectiveness of 47 students randomly assigned to an experimental and a control group . The results validated empirically the theoretical position as the group that used concept mapping software with explicit problem solving support scored significantly higher on problem solving performance and on the most of the indicators of mapping production and perceived effectiveness of concept mapping software.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)40-53
    Number of pages14
    JournalInternational Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning
    Volume18
    Issue number1
    Early online date5 Dec 2007
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2008

    Keywords

    • cognitive mapping
    • concept mapping software
    • problem solving support

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