Publication Type
Conference Proceeding Article
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
8-2017
Abstract
Mental models are organized knowledge structures that individuals form to make sense of the world around them. Cognitive maps are the externalized portrayals of mental models in graphical format. Mental models and cognitive maps have been used as an instructional design method, an assessment tool, and a learning strategy in college education. In this paper, we propose a novel use of mental models and cognitive maps as a device to elicit students’ challenges in learning course materials. Our case study in an Information Systems class illustrates how cognitive maps are constructed from students’ mental models, how learning challenges are identified from cognitive maps, and how learning challenges can be coped with in teaching. Our proposed use of cognitive maps and mental models can provide educators with insights into the learning challenges from students’ perspectives, and help design instructional strategies for more effective teaching.
Keywords
Mental Models, Cognitive Maps, Concept Mapping, Learning Challenges, Teaching, Learning
Discipline
Databases and Information Systems
Research Areas
Information Systems and Management
Areas of Excellence
Digital transformation
Publication
Proceedings of the Twenty-third Americas Conference on Information Systems, Boston, 2017 August 10-12
First Page
1
Last Page
10
City or Country
Boston, Massachusetts
Citation
SHEN, Z. and SIAU, Keng.
Using cognitive maps of mental models to evaluate learning challenges: A case study. (2017). Proceedings of the Twenty-third Americas Conference on Information Systems, Boston, 2017 August 10-12. 1-10.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/9664
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.