Taking Concept Mapping (CM) forward with socially mediated structured approaches

Authors

  • Maja Jankowska University of Bedfordshire

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.v0i0.112

Keywords:

Concept mapping (CM), Personal Development Planning (PDP), reflection, meaning making, socially mediated activity

Abstract

There is substantial research evidence (e.g. Nygaard and Holtham, 2008, 2009) to indicate that studentsââ¬â¢ active engagement in co-constructing knowledge, and taking responsibility for their own learning, is key to their achievement and development. This chapter will explore Concept Mapping (CM) not only as one means of gathering research data but also ââ¬â and most importantly ââ¬â as a powerful technique to support reflection and offer space for internal dialogue about each studentââ¬â¢s personal development.
Concept maps were gathered from a sample of students on a postgraduate business programme. In addition to the data from the concept maps themselves, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with part of the sample to follow-up and illuminate the CM process, as they seemed to deepen the reflective capacity of those students through more structured and socially-mediated activity.
Findings from this research indicate that CM introduced within a socially supported and structured process can enable the shift from teacher reliance to student autonomy. It is also suggested that students do need structured and scaffolded activities in the area of Personal Development Planning (PDP), especially in reflective tasks, as they are often not sure how to approach this area of learning.
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How to Cite

Jankowska, M. (2010) “Taking Concept Mapping (CM) forward with socially mediated structured approaches”, Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. doi: 10.47408/jldhe.v0i0.112.

Issue

Special Edition: Researching and Evaluating Personal Development Planning and e-Portfolio Practice

Section

Papers

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