KNOWLEDGE MAPS IMPROVE COMPREHENSION IN THERAPEUTICS

The purpose of this study was to examine knowledge mapping as an educa tional tool to improve comprehension in two modules of a therapeutics course. Two groups of students attended either the gastrointestinal or cardiovascular modules taught with traditional outlines. After testin g, they crossed over to the opposite module which was taught with know ledge maps. This module was followed by an examination testing identic al concepts as the previous groups. Students also completed a Likert-s cale questionnaire to assess their attitude toward knowledge mapping. The mean score on the gastrointestinal exam increased from 80.2 to 84. 7 (P<0.05). Likewise, mean score on the cardiovascular exam increased from 78.3 to 88.2 (P<0.001). Questionnaires indicated that students fo und knowledge maps easier to study than traditional outlines. The stud ents also stated that knowledge maps were useful in logically grouping information and in depicting interrelationships between concepts.