Research Article

Branching out ideas: Concept maps effect on memory and L2 writing

Number: 13 December 30, 2018
  • Thomas Charles Schwartz *
  • Georgia Matthew Angelakıs
TR EN

Branching out ideas: Concept maps effect on memory and L2 writing

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a curriculum to teach visual concept mapping and improve student attitudes on writing and the quality of their examination essays. We used visual word and image connections to improve the working memory and language aptitude students and gathered a small amount of data. The study took place during the summer module of an English preparatory program and was voluntary. We developed the workshop and the methodology for students who were continuing the English preparatory program into summer school. We gave surveys and personal interviews to students and workshop instructors after the workshops to ascertain students' attitude and knowledge of the material as well as the effectiveness of the program. Research partners took notes and recordings of the workshops. End of course writing exams were referenced for quantitative data but was limited due to the workshops being voluntary. The workshops were peripheral to the course module and aimed to be as casual and accommodating to student’s heavy workload as possible while targeting specific tasks that they were responsible for in the course and final examination. Further research is needed but the limited data suggests a correlation between student’s inclusion of mind mapping techniques and their ability to complete the demands of the final exam writing rubric.

Keywords

References

  1. Al-Zyoud, A. A., Al Jamal, D., & Baniabdelrahman, A. (2017). Mind Mapping and Students' Writing Performance. Buzan, T. (1971). Speed reading (Ch 11) London: David & Charles Buzan, T., & Buzan, B. (1993). The mind map book: How to use radiant thinking to maximize your brain's untapped potential (pp. 61-69). New York: Plume. Buzan, Tony. (2012). The Ultimate Book of Mind Maps: London HarperCollins, Farrand, P., Hussain, F., & Hennessy, E. (2002). The efficacy of the ‘mind map' study technique. Medical education, 36(5), 426-431. Novak, J. D., & Gowin, D. B. (1984). Learning how to learn. Cambridge University Press. Jones, B. D., Ruff, C., Snyder, J. D., Petrich, B., & Koonce, C. (2012). The effects of mind mapping activities on students' motivation. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 6(1). Liu, P. L., Chen, C. J., & Chang, Y. J. (2010). Effects of a computer-assisted concept mapping learning strategy on EFL college students’ English reading comprehension. Computers & Education, 54(2), 436-445. Phantharakphong, P., & Pothitha, S. (2014). Development of English reading comprehension by using concept maps. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 497-501. Pua, C., Li, D., Lui, C., & Cheng, S. (2015). Using Mind-Mapping as a Tool to teach English Vocabulary for the Elementary Students. Bulletin of Chinese. Wette, R. (2017). Using mind maps to reveal and develop genre knowledge in a graduate writing course. Journal of Second Language Writing, 38, 58-71.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

-

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Thomas Charles Schwartz * This is me
0000-0002-3494-1023
Türkiye

Georgia Matthew Angelakıs This is me
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 30, 2018

Submission Date

October 20, 2018

Acceptance Date

December 22, 2018

Published in Issue

Year 2018 Number: 13

APA
Schwartz, T. C., & Angelakıs, G. M. (2018). Branching out ideas: Concept maps effect on memory and L2 writing. RumeliDE Dil Ve Edebiyat Araştırmaları Dergisi, 13, 94-102. https://doi.org/10.29000/rumelide.504254