Collaborative Concept Maps in Higher Education: Pedagogical Contributions, Cognitive Challenges, and Optimization Strategies for Interactive Visual Learning

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Title: Collaborative Concept Maps in Higher Education: Pedagogical Contributions, Cognitive Challenges, and Optimization Strategies for Interactive Visual Learning
Language: English
Authors: Fatima Zahra Lotfi (ORCID 0009-0008-7738-7932), Tono Suwartono (ORCID 0000-0002-9615-2257), Brahim Maziane, Sri Nurhayati (ORCID 0000-0002-2273-9143), Youssef Laajan (ORCID 0000-0003-0693-5053), Brahim Nachit
Source: Educational Process: International Journal. Article e2025085 2025 14.
Availability: UNIVERSITEPARK Limited. iTOWER Plaza (No61, 9th floor) Merkez Mh Akar Cd No3, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey 34382. e-mail: editor@edupij.com; Web site: http://www.edupij.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Adult Education
Descriptors: Concept Mapping, Higher Education, Cooperative Learning, Masters Programs, Graduate Students, Visual Learning, Interaction, Foreign Countries, Knowledge Management, Barriers, Learning Modules, Andragogy, Industrial Psychology, Student Attitudes, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Retention (Psychology), Cognitive Processes, Difficulty Level
Geographic Terms: Morocco
ISSN: 2147-0901
2564-8020
Abstract: Background/purpose: Collaborative concept maps (CCMs) stand out for their ability to organize knowledge and enhance retention. However, their use in higher education raises questions about their effectiveness. This study aims to evaluate the effect of CCMs on learning of students enrolled in the Master's program in Training and Supervision Professions in Morocco, identify the challenges they faced during the creation of these maps, and propose improvements aimed at optimizing the use of these tools in higher education. Materials/methods: The study involves 60 students divided into two modules, "Work Psychology" and "Andragogy." Organized into small groups, the participants designed concept maps throughout the semester, using course materials and recommended scientific articles. Data were collected at the end of the semester through a questionnaire that included Likert-scale items and open-ended questions. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, respectively. Results: CCMs proved to be effective in fostering creativity, enhancing critical thinking, and improving knowledge retention. However, certain limitations were identified, including cognitive overload related to organizing complex information and interpretive divergences within groups, which slowed down the collaborative process. Additionally, technical and organizational challenges, such as a lack of digital skills and coordination difficulties, were also noted. These limitations occasionally hindered the effectiveness of collaborative dynamics and the achievement of learning objectives. Conclusion: CCMs are an innovative teaching-learning tool that promotes interactivity among learners. By overcoming identified challenges and implementing recommended strategies, these maps effectively achieve a variety of educational objectives.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1466585
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Collaborative Concept Maps in Higher Education: Pedagogical Contributions, Cognitive Challenges, and Optimization Strategies for Interactive Visual Learning
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fatima+Zahra+Lotfi%22">Fatima Zahra Lotfi</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7738-7932">0009-0008-7738-7932</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tono+Suwartono%22">Tono Suwartono</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9615-2257">0000-0002-9615-2257</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Brahim+Maziane%22">Brahim Maziane</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sri+Nurhayati%22">Sri Nurhayati</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2273-9143">0000-0002-2273-9143</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Youssef+Laajan%22">Youssef Laajan</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0693-5053">0000-0003-0693-5053</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Brahim+Nachit%22">Brahim Nachit</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Educational+Process%3A+International+Journal%22"><i>Educational Process: International Journal</i></searchLink>. Article e2025085 2025 14.
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  Data: UNIVERSITEPARK Limited. iTOWER Plaza (No61, 9th floor) Merkez Mh Akar Cd No3, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey 34382. e-mail: editor@edupij.com; Web site: http://www.edupij.com/
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 19
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Adult+Education%22">Adult Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Concept+Mapping%22">Concept Mapping</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cooperative+Learning%22">Cooperative Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Masters+Programs%22">Masters Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graduate+Students%22">Graduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Visual+Learning%22">Visual Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interaction%22">Interaction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Knowledge+Management%22">Knowledge Management</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Modules%22">Learning Modules</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Andragogy%22">Andragogy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Industrial+Psychology%22">Industrial Psychology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Creativity%22">Creativity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Critical+Thinking%22">Critical Thinking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Retention+%28Psychology%29%22">Retention (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+Processes%22">Cognitive Processes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Difficulty+Level%22">Difficulty Level</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Morocco%22">Morocco</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2147-0901<br />2564-8020
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background/purpose: Collaborative concept maps (CCMs) stand out for their ability to organize knowledge and enhance retention. However, their use in higher education raises questions about their effectiveness. This study aims to evaluate the effect of CCMs on learning of students enrolled in the Master's program in Training and Supervision Professions in Morocco, identify the challenges they faced during the creation of these maps, and propose improvements aimed at optimizing the use of these tools in higher education. Materials/methods: The study involves 60 students divided into two modules, "Work Psychology" and "Andragogy." Organized into small groups, the participants designed concept maps throughout the semester, using course materials and recommended scientific articles. Data were collected at the end of the semester through a questionnaire that included Likert-scale items and open-ended questions. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, respectively. Results: CCMs proved to be effective in fostering creativity, enhancing critical thinking, and improving knowledge retention. However, certain limitations were identified, including cognitive overload related to organizing complex information and interpretive divergences within groups, which slowed down the collaborative process. Additionally, technical and organizational challenges, such as a lack of digital skills and coordination difficulties, were also noted. These limitations occasionally hindered the effectiveness of collaborative dynamics and the achievement of learning objectives. Conclusion: CCMs are an innovative teaching-learning tool that promotes interactivity among learners. By overcoming identified challenges and implementing recommended strategies, these maps effectively achieve a variety of educational objectives.
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  Data: As Provided
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  Data: 2025
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  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1466585
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1466585
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 19
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Concept Mapping
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cooperative Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Masters Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Graduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Visual Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interaction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Knowledge Management
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Learning Modules
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Andragogy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Industrial Psychology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Creativity
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      – SubjectFull: Critical Thinking
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      – SubjectFull: Retention (Psychology)
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      – SubjectFull: Cognitive Processes
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      – SubjectFull: Difficulty Level
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      – SubjectFull: Morocco
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Collaborative Concept Maps in Higher Education: Pedagogical Contributions, Cognitive Challenges, and Optimization Strategies for Interactive Visual Learning
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