Overview of the Application of Conceptual Mapping Software in Facilitating and Improving the Quality of Teaching and Learning of Chemistry

Document Type : Review article

Authors

1 Department of Chemistry, Shahid Beheshti Campus, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Chemistry, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

One of the new cognitive perspectives in education is conceptual mapping. The mapping is a tool to display information in the form of a diagram, in which the logical links among concepts can be clearly visualized. In other words, the conceptual mapping is a graphical method that can replace the traditional note-taking methods. For active learning, effective communication is required between what we already know and what we need to know. By using the mental map, the learners could combine their existing knowledge with the new concepts and therefore active learning is promoted through a conceptual map. The conceptual map is also an appropriate tool for curriculum development, developmental evaluation, final evaluation and creativity enhancement. Conceptual maps drawn in mind mapping software such as Xmind, Mindomo, and Mindmanager are digital concept maps. These drawings are easy to design, build, edit, store and share. In this paper, we have tried to improve the quality of chemistry pedagogy while presenting these softwares to draw up conceptual digitization maps and designing conceptual digital maps of the topics of chemistry. Also, applying these maps will limit common misunderstandings and improve speed reading.

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