Concept Maps as Formative Assessment

CMap Tools

Shari Kendrick


What is a concept map?

A concept map is a graphical representation of the relationships between concepts.

A concept map showing the characteristics of concept maps

concept_map.JPG
(Navak & Canas, 2008, p. 2)

















Concept Maps as Formative Assessment Tools

Concept Maps can be used to determine prior knowledge and changes in knowledge over time.

"...concept maps permit observing and recording changes in a person's knowledge over
time. Concept mapping can, for instance, be applied as an ongoing evaluation across an
instruction. This makes it a useful tool for monitoring the increase of complexity of
learners' knowledge structure, as it occurs by integrating new knowledge with existing
knowledge." (Buzzetto-More, 2007, p. 89)

CMap Tool

CMap is a free downloadable computer-based tool. It is used to create online concept maps that can be used individually or shared online. Navak & Canas (2008) describe CMap Tool as follows:

"The CmapTools software (available for download at: http://cmap.ihmac.us) ...brings
together the strengths of concept mapping with the power of technology, particularly
the Internet and World Wide Web (WWW). The software not only makes it easy for
users of all ages to construct and modify concept maps...it allows users to collaborate
at a distance in the construction in their maps, publish their concept maps so anybody
on the Internet can access them, link resources to their maps to further explain their
their contents, and search the WWW for infBormation related to the map."
(Novak & Canas, 2008, p. 14)

Cmap5.JPG
(Novak & Canas, 2008, p. 14)



















Concept maps created by CMap Tools drive instruction by illustrating:
  • prior knowledge and understanding
  • changes in knowledge over time
  • misunderstandings of concept relationships

Concept maps created by CMap Tools can be used to differentiate instruction by enabling visual and kinesthetic learners to create hands-on visual representations of their understanding.

References

Buzzetto-More, N. (2007). Advancedprinciples of effective e-learning. Santa Rosa, CA: Informing Science Press.

Novak, J. D. & Canas, A. J. (2008). The theory underlying concept maps and how to construct and use them. Technical Report IHMC CMapTools. Retrieved May 31, 2011, from
http://cmap.ihmc.us/Publications/ResearchPapers/TheoryUnderlyingConceptMaps.pdf