The Effects of Using Concept Mapping as an Instructional Tool in Elementary School Science Classes

초등학교 과학 수업에서 개념도 활용의 효과

In this study, we investigated the effects of using concept mapping as an instructional tool on 4th graders' achievement, science learning motivation, and attitude toward science classes. Two classes (38 students) from an elementary school were respectively assigned to a control group and a treatment group. Students were taught about "expansion of matter by heat" and "heat transfer". These topics were chosen because they require students to understand more concepts as well as relationships among them. A science learning motivation test and an attitude toward science classes test were administered as pretests. A researcher-made achievement test, the science learning motivation test, and the attitude toward science classes test were administered as posttests. The results indicated that using concept mapping in 4th-grade science classes was not significantly effective in improving students' achievement though a statistically significant positive effect was found in the subcategory of knowledge. No statistically significant effect of using concept mapping was found in the scores of the science learning motivation test and the attitude toward science classes test. Educational implications are discussed.