Fuzzy cognitive mapping: Applications in education

Fostering conceptual and cognitive change in learners can be difficult. Stu dents often come to a learning situation with robust, implicit understandin gs of the material under study. One explanation for the implicit nature of these understandings is a lack of metaknowledge about the knowledge to be a cquired. Helping learners create metaknowledge may free paths to conceptual change. This paper proposes the use of fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) as a to ol for creating metaknowledge and exploring hidden implications of a learne r's understanding. Two specific educational applications of FCMs an explore d in detail and recommendations are included for further investigations wit hin educational contexts. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.