Hawar Khalandi
Article Topic: ACM
Submitted: 9/19/2006 12:49:33 PM
Rye, J.A., & Rubba, P.A.2002. Scoring Concept Maps: An Expert Map-Based Scheme Weighted for Relationships, School Science and Mathematics, 102, 33-44.
Summary: The article talked about different ways concept maps can be assessed. This article was about a research done in an eight grade class. The subject of the study was 17 physical science students. They were asked two questions and were to draw a concept map as of their answer. Concepts and concept relationships obtained from the students were studied against those resulting from a teacher-expert map. In this research, the researchers used a rubric to score concept maps. The rubric considered two components of each student’s map: concepts and concept relationships. Three points were given for having the central teacher-expert concepts, six points were awarded for teacher-expert relationships. Four points were given for other valid and relevant relationships between two teacher-expert concept and two points were given for valid and relevant relationships between two external concepts. Results showed that for all students the mean was around 67, with a range of 7 to 111. In conclusion, the researchers recommend that the scoring method should emphasize on the material and information that was taught in class by the teacher. This study recommends that more teachers should use expert referents and emphasize concept relationships in assessing concept maps. It also points out that more efficient concept map rubrics should be available for the teachers to use for assessing student learning.
Reaction: Personally, I was very anxious to see what the results of my research would be for this assignment because I didn’t know how concept maps could be assessed. This article offered many different ways of assessing concept maps. I personally liked the rubric they used for the research. I also believe that concept relationships should be just as important as the concept. I think the rubric mentioned in the article would be something I would use in my own classroom.