Innovative projects
From CTLpedia
Project Summary: CmapTools has been supported for several years on a CTL server and more recently by delivery of workshops on using concept mapping to promote deep approaches to learning. During spring 2007, increased interest in concept mapping has been sparked resulting in renewed efforts to support classroom use.
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Project Goals
- Provide software for concept mapping to enhance teaching and learning.
- Evaluate and implement CmapTools for concept mapping.
- Support faculty implementation of concept mapping.
Current Status
CmapTools is supported by the CTL. Primary contact is Brad Kincaid, but several staff members can assist with questions. CmapTools client software is freely available from http://cmap.ihmc.us This download include the latest version of java, which is necessary to run CmapTools. The CTL has the CmapTools server currently running at cmap.mc.maricopa.edu, which has the DNS name MCCTL_Cmaps.
Relation to CTL Department Plan Initiatives
- 2006-7 #6 CTL Innovative Instructional Technologies Program -- To provide effective support for teaching and learning with technology, CTL staff must explore, develop and experiment with promising new instructional technologies that have potential to enhance teaching and learning. These activities will allow us to recommend and support appropriate technologies to promote learning outcomes.
- 2007-8 #1 Evaluate, promote, and support innovative and appropriate use of new instructional and multimedia technologies (especially those that integrate with WebCT and MCC Online).
Project Staff
- Melanie Kroening did the initial CmapTools server installation with Jeff Anderson contributing support.
- Martin Lehner currently updates and maintains the CmapTools server.
- Paul Hickey installs and maintains the CmapTools client software on all CTL computers.
- Brad Kincaid conducts workshops for faculty on CmapTools.
Project Timeline
- Project was initiated in Spring 2004 with a request from Brad Kincaid, Life Science Faculty member.
- A pilot project was approved by the CTL Director resulting in the installation of the CmapTools server software on a test server in the CTL.
- Kincaid evaluated project for several semesters with little need for support. CmapTools proved useful for instruction as well as for strategic planning applications.
- First CmapTools workshop was offered by CTL in spring, 2006.
- More workshops offered in 2006-7.
- Increased interest in CmapTools has prompted us to consider automated student account creation, which should now be possible because LDAP authentication is now supported.
Project Resources
- Staff time has been required to install and maintain the CmapTools server over the past three years.
- Staff time has been require to develop and deliver the CmapTools workshop.
- CmapTools client and server software is freely available to educational institutions.
- Sever space has been required for CmapTools.
Project Outcomes and Future Directions
- A few faculty regularly use concept mapping in their classes, but widespread adoption of this teaching and learning technique may be limited by two factors. First, faculty need to alter their instructional approach to effectively implement concept mapping into their courses. Second, several aspects of teaching with concept maps require addtional effort including teaching concept mapping techniques, student editing of concept maps especially without software, and grading of concept maps.
- Kincaid conducted an evaluation of concept mapping (prior to availability of CmapTools) and found that concept mapping contributed to student learning, however the effort required limited its effectiveness with some students.
- CTL support of faculty using concept mapping and new features of CmapTools address many of the issues with concept mapping.
- CTL is evaluting the addition of automatic account creation for CmapTools and integration with our LDAP server.
