The Use of Concept Mapping to Improve Student Performance and Understanding of Strategic Management Concepts: A Comparison of Techniques

Authors

  • Douglas L. Micklich

Abstract

Previous research (Micklich, 1998) has shown that by using concept mapping, a greater level of understanding of the relationships between strategic management concepts can be gained. Although an increase in exam scores and a certain level of cohesion in a class strategic planning project was attained, overall perceived satisfaction with the exercise was low. This occurred under conditions where greater control was relinquished to the student for map construction and interpretation as the exercise was continued. The question was then posed; if the instructor took a more active role would higher levels of satisfaction, hence translated by better scores, and a smaller standard deviation of these scores, be realized? Results showed that the level of satisfaction rose for the experimental group as a whole, the mean score did increase, but at a smaller rate and the standard deviation of the scores did increase and at a greater rate relative to the control group, resulting in better understanding of those concepts and higher levels of perceived satisfaction.

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Published

1999-03-04