Knowledge Maps: an Online Tool for Knowledge Mapping with Automated Feedback

Abstract

Concept and knowledge maps have been shown to improve students’ learning by emphasising meaningful relationships between phenomena. A user-friendly online tool that enables assessment of students’ maps with automated feedback might therefore have significant benefits for learning. For that purpose, we developed an online software platform known as Knowledge Maps. Two pilot studies were performed to evaluate the usability and efficacy of Knowledge Maps. Study A demonstrated significantly improved perceptions of learning after using Knowledge Maps to learn pathology. Study B showed significant improvement between pre-test and post-test scores in an anatomy course. These preliminary studies indicate that this software is readily accepted and may have potential benefits for learning.