Concept Maps for Evaluating Learning of Sustainable Development

Abstract

Concept maps are used to assess student and cohort learning of sustainable development. The concept maps of 732 first-year engineering students were individually analyzed to detect patterns of learning and areas that were not well understood. Students were given 20 minutes each to prepare a concept map of at least 20 concepts using paper and pen. The maps were then analyzed using three different methods. The first method considers only the structure of the map by quantifying its features. The second method considers the content and comprehensiveness of the map by classifying every concept included using a new taxonomy. The third method scores the maps against a rubric that considers the corr..