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Concept maps as an assessment tool in a nursing course
1Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
Summary
Concept mapping in nursing education enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students progressed from linear concepts to integrated webs, improving competence despite workload challenges.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Cultivating critical thinking is vital for nursing students in complex healthcare.
- Concept mapping is an instructional strategy for organizing and analyzing information graphically.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement concept mapping in a nursing course.
- To evaluate student learning progress using scenario-based concept maps.
Main Methods:
- Forty-three nursing students participated in a 16-week course.
- Students created six concept maps focusing on physical and role functions.
- Concept maps were iteratively developed and scored.
Main Results:
- Initial concept map drafts showed low scores, with significant improvement in later drafts.
- Students' concept maps evolved from linear sequences to integrated webs.
- Students reported challenges with workload but demonstrated skill acquisition.
Conclusions:
- Concept mapping effectively develops problem-solving and critical-thinking skills in nursing students.
- The strategy aids in organizing complex patient data and identifying interventions.
- Iterative concept map development fosters deeper understanding and integration of knowledge.