Exploring concept mapping as an approach to science teaching in lower secondary school in Pakistan
Date of Award
8-1-1995
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Education (M. Ed.)
Department
Institute for Educational Development, Karachi
Abstract
In this dissertation, the use of an alternative teaching approach to the teaching of science, called "Concept mapping", has been explored. This approach was compared with the traditional teaching approach which emphasizes memorization and reproduction of factual information about scientific concepts. The study was conducted in three stages: Pre-intervention stage (Observation of how science teaching is currently done), Intervention stage (introducing the concept mapping approach) and post-intervention stage (examining the effects of the introduction of the concept mapping approach). Data was collected mainly through the students' test papers, concept maps, group discussions among students, classroom observation of students' activities, clinical interviews with students, students' journals and teachers' feedback. Data analysis was done by comparing the data collected at the pre-intervention stage with those collected after the intervention (after introducing the concept Mapping approach). The findings showed that when students were taught through the traditional approach, they mostly memorized the information without understanding it and without connecting it to their previous knowledge and experiences. After the intervention, however, students showed a deeper understanding of scientific concepts and they felt comfortable in learning in a non-threatening atmosphere in the classroom. Apart from the higher academic achievement of students, students also learnt social skills such as listening to one another and respecting each other's ideas, working quietly in groups and taking turns to speak during discussions. The teachers were also found to be positive about the concept mapping approach and they expressed their desire to learn more about the approach and to try it out in their own classes
Recommended Citation
Meher, R. (1995). Exploring concept mapping as an approach to science teaching in lower secondary school in Pakistan (Unpublished master's dissertation). Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.