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Concept Mapping Using CmapTools to Enhance Meaningful Learning

  • Chapter
Knowledge Cartography

Part of the book series: Advanced Information and Knowledge Processing ((AI&KP))

Abstract

Concept maps are graphical tools that have been used in all facets of education and training for organizing and representing knowledge. When learners build concept maps, meaningful learning is facilitated. Computer-based concept mapping software such as CmapTools have further extended the use of concept mapping and greatly enhanced the potential of the tool, facilitating the implementation of a concept map-centered learning environment. In this chapter, we briefly present concept mapping and its theoretical foundation, and illustrate how it can lead to an improved learning environment when it is combined with CmapTools and the Internet. We present the nationwide “Proyecto Conéctate al Conocimiento” in Panama as an example of how concept mapping, together with technology, can be adopted by hundreds of schools as a means to enhance meaningful learning.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    1CmapTools can be downloaded from http://cmap.ihmc.us and is free for all to use.

  2. 2.

    2Recently, other environments such as Wikis and Blogs have also made it possible to publish information on the WWW easily.

  3. 3.

    3Even though the authors, particularly Cañas, have been heavily involved with Proyecto Conéctate al Conocimiento, the views presented in this chapter should be interpreted as those of a third party. Credit for the success of the project belongs to the Facilitators, technical team and leaders of the project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC), Pensacola, FL, USA

    Alberto J. Cañas & Joseph D. Novak

Authors
  1. Alberto J. Cañas
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  2. Joseph D. Novak
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Correspondence to Alberto J. Cañas .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Knowledge Media Institute, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK

    Alexandra Okada BSc, MA, PhD  & Simon Buckingham Shum BSc, MSc, PhD  & 

  2. The Centre for Science Education, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK

    Tony Sherborne BSc, MA, PhD

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Cañas, A.J., Novak, J.D. (2008). Concept Mapping Using CmapTools to Enhance Meaningful Learning. In: Okada, A., Shum, S.B., Sherborne, T. (eds) Knowledge Cartography. Advanced Information and Knowledge Processing. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84800-149-7_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84800-149-7_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-84800-148-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84800-149-7

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