The use of web-based collaborative concept mapping to support group learning and interaction in an online environment

Abstract

Concept mapping has been employed as a promising tool to facilitate group learning and interaction mainly in the classroom. Computer- and web-based applications provide plenty of opportunities to extend concept mapping mediated group learning to online environments. Nevertheless, the effects of concept mapping on group learning and interaction may vary with the nature of group tasks and other factors. This study investigated the effects of web-based collaborative concept mapping on group interaction in two task situations: concept-oriented task and design-oriented task. Web-based collaborative concept mapping was used to mediate small group learning among college students in an online environment. The findings revealed that there were differences in the effects of collaborative concept mapping on group interaction between the two task situations; collaborative concept mapping functioned more effectively in facilitating group interaction in the concept-oriented task situation than in the design-oriented task situation in several ways.