Using concept maps with postgraduate teachers in a web-based environment : an exploratory study

In this paper we report how 26 in service teachers enrolled in a post graduate education program in Curriculum Development, used Cmaptools software for class work and assessment in Research Methods in Education (RME). For one semester teachers were taught to use electronic concept maps as a constructivist learning strategy. Teachers developed electronic concept maps to reflect on the course readings, plan course projects and to compare and contrast information from course discussions. Concept maps created were posted in the course website for the instructor and other students to visualize and comment. At the end of the semester the learning strategy was assessed thru survey techniques in order to identify students’ opinions on the experience of building maps with Cmaptools in RME. Results show that post graduate teachers considered that the process of using this constructivist strategy was important to enhance their learning skills in studying RME contents and also grew to understand their own thinking processes. The findings also suggest that the use of CMS within a web-based environment made it easier for teachers to constantly revise maps, increasing performance at representing knowledge and creating meaning of the course core.
Centro de Investigação em Educação. Universidade do Minho.