1. Embedded Tools: Concept Maps
John Geiser
Department of Biological Sciences
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

2. 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

3. 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
Leaf
Root

4. water and water soluble matter needed for growth
What is a concept map?
Proposition – phrase giving meaning and showing connection between concepts
Represented visually by directional arrow
Longer propositions are generally better
Tree is
Brown is
has
Bark
method of collecting
water and water soluble matter needed for growth
has
Green
Leaf
Root

5. 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!

6. Scoring a concept map Does your map look like these?
If so, time to do more work to get at deeper understanding.

7. Scoring a concept map Two majors approaches
Comparison to expert map of subject area.
Design and use a rubric to score.
(Wallace 1990, Stoddart 2010 has much more involved process and reviews many others)

8. Scoring a concept map
Relationships: 1 point
Hierarchy: 5 points/level

9. Scoring a concept map Branching: 1 point/branch
General to Specific Examples: 1 point

10. Scoring a concept map
Cross-Links: 10 points/link

11. 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

12. Rubric

13. Digital Concept Map Free computer concept map software.
Free online concept map software.
Many others.

14. Helpful References
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.
Good, R., J. Novak and J. Wandersee (Editors), 1990 Special issue: perspectives on concept mapping. J. Res. Sci. Teaching 27: 921–1074.
Novak, J. D., 1990 Concept mapping: a useful tool for science education. J. Res. Sci. Teaching 27: 937–949.
Novak, J. D., 2003 The promise of new ideas and new technology for improving teaching and learning. Cell Biol. Educ. 2: 122–132.
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.
Wallace, J and J. Mintzes, 1990 The concept map as a research tool: Exploring conceptual change in biology. J. Res. Sci. Teaching 27: