The effect of using concept maps as study tools on achievement in chemistry for secondary students

النوع : Mémoire

The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not the construction of--concept maps by students, as a regular homework, can improve students' achievement--on chemistry tests that included higher order thinking skill questions.--Sixty tenth-grade students, divided into two sections, participated in the study.--The students were pre-tested and post-tested using a teacher-constructed chemistry--achievement tests that included high cognitive level questions. The study extended over--six weeks. The classes met five times per week for fifty minutes daily. The material--covered was acid base titration and weak ac ids equilibrium. A different instructor taught--each section. In the experimental group, the students were assigned to build concept--maps as homework. In the control group, the students covered the same chemistry--content with regular exercises assigned as homework. Additionally, students in the--experimental group completed a reflection questionnaire about their perceptions of the--utility of concept maps in chemistry and other science Subjects. Two-way analysis of variance was used to compare the scores of students in--the posttest for the two groups. Statistically significant differences were found in--knowledge and comprehension level question scores as well as total post-test scores--where the two-way analysis of variance for sex and groups indicated that the technique--favored girls over boys. In addition, significant differences were found in high cognitive--level question scores and total post-test scores where the comparison of means indicated--that low achievers benefited from the technique while high achievers were less favored.--Furthermore, results showed that students who mastered concept-mapping skills--performed better in high cognitive level questions (questions at application and higher--cognitive level s of Bloom's taxonomy). The results of the study showed that students--enjoyed using concept mapping as a supporting learning strategy.