The Impact of Thinking Maps on Enthusiasm, Attitude and Learning Style: An Action Research Study of Students in Management Course

Abstract

Enthusiasm, attitude and learning style are the factors that make students are more eager learners and become active participants in their learning. Little research at higher education level considers Thinking Maps as a tool in teaching and learning. Thus, this action research investigates the impact of Thinking Maps on enthusiasm, attitude and Learning style of student in learning the Principles of Management. The results should assist the lecturer in make teaching is more students centered learning. Eight Thinking Maps were used as the mind mapping maps method to increase students' enthusiasm and change attitude and Learning style. The sampling of eighty students from the same group was chosen for the study. Researcher uses three kinds of instruments in collecting the data, namely; lecturer's observations, reflection and pre and post intervention survey were used to record changes in enthusiasm, attitude and style for learning during study period. The result shows the students express their tendency to use Thinking Maps method in learning. Additionally, the students increase their enthusiast in learning principle of management but their attitude and learning style not much change.