Use of concept maps for problem-solving in engineering

This article presents a study on the use of concept maps as a learning tool for solving problems in engineering. Solving problems of structural analysis needs clear understanding of the fundamental concepts of the method and their links. Concept maps were used in lectures to explain the application...

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Main Author: Sarker, Prabir
Format: Journal Article
Published: World Institute for Engineering and Technology Education 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.wiete.com.au/journals/GJEE/Publish/vol17no1/04-Sarker-P.pdf
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/3675
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author Sarker, Prabir
author_facet Sarker, Prabir
author_sort Sarker, Prabir
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description This article presents a study on the use of concept maps as a learning tool for solving problems in engineering. Solving problems of structural analysis needs clear understanding of the fundamental concepts of the method and their links. Concept maps were used in lectures to explain the application of the concepts in solving problems and students were engaged in construction of concept maps before the actual calculations. Anonymous feedback was collected from students on the usefulness of concept maps in their learning. The responses show that the majority of the students found concept maps helpful in understanding the key concepts and their associations in solving problems. It helped students choose the right method from different options in solving a problem. Though the number of students constructing their own concept maps outside the classroom was relatively low, they wanted to see continued use of concept maps since it provoked the thinking process, and helped deep and meaningful learning. Thus, the use of concept maps facilitated student engagement in the classroom, helped solving problems and improved learning in the unit.
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institution Curtin University Malaysia
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-36752017-01-30T10:33:15Z Use of concept maps for problem-solving in engineering Sarker, Prabir structural engineering problem-solving Concept maps deep learning This article presents a study on the use of concept maps as a learning tool for solving problems in engineering. Solving problems of structural analysis needs clear understanding of the fundamental concepts of the method and their links. Concept maps were used in lectures to explain the application of the concepts in solving problems and students were engaged in construction of concept maps before the actual calculations. Anonymous feedback was collected from students on the usefulness of concept maps in their learning. The responses show that the majority of the students found concept maps helpful in understanding the key concepts and their associations in solving problems. It helped students choose the right method from different options in solving a problem. Though the number of students constructing their own concept maps outside the classroom was relatively low, they wanted to see continued use of concept maps since it provoked the thinking process, and helped deep and meaningful learning. Thus, the use of concept maps facilitated student engagement in the classroom, helped solving problems and improved learning in the unit. 2015 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/3675 http://www.wiete.com.au/journals/GJEE/Publish/vol17no1/04-Sarker-P.pdf World Institute for Engineering and Technology Education fulltext
spellingShingle structural engineering
problem-solving
Concept maps
deep learning
Sarker, Prabir
Use of concept maps for problem-solving in engineering
title Use of concept maps for problem-solving in engineering
title_full Use of concept maps for problem-solving in engineering
title_fullStr Use of concept maps for problem-solving in engineering
title_full_unstemmed Use of concept maps for problem-solving in engineering
title_short Use of concept maps for problem-solving in engineering
title_sort use of concept maps for problem-solving in engineering
topic structural engineering
problem-solving
Concept maps
deep learning
url http://www.wiete.com.au/journals/GJEE/Publish/vol17no1/04-Sarker-P.pdf
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/3675