Online Collaborative Kit-Build Concept Map

Abstract

Many studies show promising benefits of using concept maps as an effective approach to support learning, thus enhance students' understanding. Concept mapping with the Kit-Build concept map framework is known as one practical approach to improving students' understanding of learning material. Supporting meaningful learning in an online collaborative learning environment is challenging, where the students need an effective and meaningful interaction during the collaboration. Both the use of concept maps and collaborative learning are promising to promote an engaging learning environment, thus yielding a better learning outcome. This research introduces a newly developed concept mapping tool that fuses collaborative learning into the Kit-Build concept map framework. It allows students to learn by collaboratively working with concept maps in a distant real-time learning environment. This research investigates the tool's effectiveness in a learning environment where the students use different concept mapping approaches to learn with concept maps online collaboratively.