Mapping conceptual understanding

In order for students to successfully progress through their chemistry studies, it is crucial they build a solid conceptual foundation at each stage. However, evidence shows that many students completing US general chemistry courses lack conceptual understanding in key areas, impacting on their ability to handle higher level material encountered in advanced courses. In this article, Burrows and Mooring report on an investigation into concept mapping as an assessment tool to probe knowledge structures, with a view to informing future curriculum design.

David Read summarises and reviews the article and investigation.