Module Components

• Overview
• Assignments

Topics

• Concept Mapping
• Clinical Instruction
• Preceptor
• Mentoring
• Reflection

Nurs 791 - Instructional Strategies and Assessment

Module 7: Learner Intensive Strategies

Concept Mapping

A concept map allows the person making it to put knowledge already acquired together in a visual representation. This strategy can be used for many purposes including brain-storming of ideas, facilitating learning, and planning. There are many disciplines in which these are used including business, science,education, and of course, health professions such as nursing. An overview of concept mapping from Carnegie Mellon University describes key aspects of using and designing concept maps.

In your text, Koehler and Bowen (2007), describe the use of concept mapping in planning nursing care. Other examples of descriptions of use of this strategy for enhancing critical thinking are offered by authors such as All, Huycke, and Fisher (2003), Lukowski (2003), and Wilgis and McConnell (2008).

One area of controversy is whether concept maps should be graded when they are used in an educational setting. Oermann and Gaberson (2014, pages 286-287) suggest that one approach could be to use concept mapping as a form of formative evaluation which is typically ungraded and often used for diagnostic purposes.

If you would like to read more about concept mapping, here are some relevant resources:

• Harrison, S. and Gibbons, C. (2013). Nursing student perceptions of concept maps: From theory to practice. Nursing Education Perspectives, 34(6), 395-399.
• Hunter Revell, S.M. (2012). Concept maps and nursing theory: A pedagogical Approach, Nurse Educator, 37(3), 131-135.
• Noonan, P. (2011). Using concept maps in perioperative education. AORN Journal, 94(5), 469-478.
• Pudelko, B., Young, M., Vincent-Lamarre, P., and Charlin, B. (2012). Mapping as a learning strategy in health professions education: a critical analysis. Medical Education, 46(12), 1215-1225.
• Wahl, S.E. and Thompson, A.M. (2013). Concept mapping in a critical care program: a pilot-study to develop critical thinking and decision-making skills in novice nurses. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 44(10), 455-460.