CONCEPT MAPPING – A RELIABLE EDUCATIONAL TOOL
Abstract
Learning is an active, purposeful, and joyful experience that is crucial for engaging young minds in the teaching-learning process. Concept mapping stands out as a highly effective tool to achieve the desired learning experience. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate the reliability of concept mapping as an educational tool for enhancing the learner's experience. Concept mapping is a visual representation of concepts that illustrates their relationships. It serves as a graphical tool, aiding learners in visualizing hierarchically structured concepts, connected by labeled lines. The distinctive feature of concept mapping lies in its hierarchical structure, with the general concept positioned at the top and specific concepts arranged below.
Concept mapping offers several benefits to learners:
- Visualization of ideas and concepts in a structured manner, facilitating quick recall.
- Comprehension of complex concepts or ideas.
- An easy method for learners to take organized notes.
- Facilitation of distinguishing main points from secondary points.
- Breakdown of complex information into manageable parts, such as topics and subtopics.
- Empowerment of learners to express their perspective on a studied topic.
This study aims to assess the reliability of concept mapping through an experimental study involving teacher trainees. To support this investigation, a self-designed questionnaire was administered to a sample of two hundred teacher trainees. The findings indicate that the use of concept mapping is a reliable educational tool, contributing to a significantly improved learning experience for learners.
