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Visualization of Knowledge with Concept Maps in a Teacher Education Course

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Abstract

The use of concept mapping strategies has implications in teaching and learning to improve visual literacy. This study examined pre-service teacher education students’ experiences and perspectives in relation to concept map creation and their use in education to promote visual literacy. The data analyzed for this study consisted of concept maps created by students and their written online portfolio reflections. Findings revealed that students found concept maps helped organize and present information visually relating to a specific topic. Highlighting key points helped direct learners’ attention. Students’ inabilities to decide what information to include and the best way to present information were limitations of concept map creation. Also, there were technical difficulties. More research needs to be completed as concept maps are practical visual tools.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Leadership, Technology, and Workforce Development, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA, USA

    Taralynn Hartsell

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  1. Taralynn Hartsell
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Correspondence to Taralynn Hartsell.

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Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No conflict of interest exists. Action research study was to examine how students in my classroom felt about concept maps and visual learning aids.

Research involving human participants and/or animals

Students were participants in the action research study; anonymity was guaranteed by not using names. Students also did not see what others have written in their reflections or what they have completed. Artifacts were shared only between the instructor/researcher and student.

Informed consent

Email consent was sent to researcher’s classrooms indicating that concept maps might be used in the action research study as well as portfolio reflections, along with the study’s purpose. The message indicated that any student who wished not to be included to inform the instructor/researcher. Being pre-service teacher education students, they were more than happy and even excited that their maps may be used.

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Hartsell, T. Visualization of Knowledge with Concept Maps in a Teacher Education Course. TechTrends 65, 847–859 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-021-00647-z

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