This article draws on examples of student interviews incorporating multiple modalities to explore the writing lives of students as part of a larger project focusing on participants' experiences of writing within and beyond the university. We explain this innovative, iterative research method combining multiple texts and maps, characterizing it as…

Research shows that using computer-aided mapping tools improves critical thinking skills, but prior research provides limited evidence to show how the use of specific critical thinking skills increases map quality. This qualitative study observed 4 experts and 5 novices use a computer-aided mapping tool to construct argument maps. The analysis of…

Concept mapping, a tool originally developed to facilitate student learning by organizing and visualizing key concepts and their relationships, can also be used to represent the composition of the knowledge contained in a course. In this paper, the authors describe a specific application of concept mapping to help instructors and students…

It is well established that creativity can be stimulated by expanding the breadth of knowledge activation. In addition, some researchers have proposed that concept mapping can stimulate individuals into more flexible thinking processes. Based on the literature, three studies were conducted in the present research to systematically investigate…

What are the structural characteristics of written scientific explanations that make them good? This is often difficult to measure. One approach to describing and analyzing structures is to employ network theory. With this research, we aim to describe the elementary structure of written explanations, their qualities, and the differences between…

This study aims to investigate pre-service science teachers' knowledge levels, practical experiences, and perceived competencies in teaching biodiversity at secondary school level. The study was conducted in Turkey with 151 pre-service science teachers, 50 of whom were first-year, 34 second year, 42 third year, and 25 fourth year during the fall…

A process or journey map is a visual representation of a process that lists each step from start to finish. Higher education institutions can use process maps to help identify the barriers preventing students from achieving a desired outcome. A process map can be used to guide changes to a process that will reduce the barriers students face. This…

Writing cohesive texts is a crucial but challenging skill to master. Recently, cognitive tools that provide students with a graphical representation of their texts in the form of concept-maps have been shown to support students' writing. Despite its beneficial effects, the addition of a graphical representation may have the disadvantage that…

The use of concept mapping strategies has implications in teaching and learning to improve visual literacy. This study examined pre-service teacher education students' experiences and perspectives in relation to concept map creation and their use in education to promote visual literacy. The data analyzed for this study consisted of concept maps…

Multi-level factors affecting immediate and delayed concept recall in concept mapping were examined across 716 concepts nested within 57 concept maps from adult learners. At the concept level, we examined a concept's serial positioning, autobiographical elaboration (AE), and elaborative encoding. At the map level, we examined the compositional…

Curriculum mapping is the process of creating a visual representation of the teaching and assessment of learning outcomes in a degree, program or major. Best practice recommendations about curriculum mapping typically focus on mapping individual programs. Therefore, many recommendations, such as meeting individually with faculty as they map their…

With the progress and innovation of digital technology, people's knowledge acquisition, information exchange, and communication modes have changed significantly. The universality of emerging technology media enables instructional designers to use digital media to provide different teaching materials and teaching methods to meet the needs of…

Recent studies show that the exploration of ways to involve students in effective bi/multilingual science education is gaining attention at all educational levels. Introducing students to the construction of bilingual scientific argument maps--visual representations of scientific argument structure using two languages--contributes to the quality…

The purpose of clinical courses in teacher education programs is to reflect on practice. Yet there is little research on how best to structure critical self-reflection with early childhood special education (ECSE) teacher candidates. Following a review of research promoting ECSE teacher candidate reflection and a discussion of critically…

Efforts to invest in students' networks--either to bolster support or expand professional opportunities--should start with a deep understanding of and appreciation for the networks of which they are already members. Recognizing and respecting students' inherent resources and cultural wealth is what this report refers to as an asset-based approach.…