Mapping Biology Knowledge

by Fisher, Kathleen M.; Wandersee, James H.; Moody, David E.

• ISBN13: 9780792365754
• ISBN10: 0792365755
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-10-01
• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Pub

Summary

Mapping Biology Knowledge addresses two key topics in the context of biology, promoting meaningful learning and knowledge mapping as a strategy for achieving this goal. Meaning-making and meaning-building are examined from multiple perspectives throughout the book. In many biology courses, students become so mired in detail that they fail to grasp the big picture. Various strategies are proposed for helping instructors focus on the big picture, using the 'need to know' principle to decide the level of detail students must have in a given situation. The metacognitive tools described here serve as support systems for the mind, creating an arena in which learners can operate on ideas. They include concept maps, cluster maps, webs, semantic networks, and conceptual graphs. These tools, compared and contrasted in this book, are also useful for building and assessing students' content and cognitive skills. The expanding role of computers in mapping biology knowledge is also explored.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(4)
Kathleen M. Fischer
Overview of Knowledge Mapping	5	(20)
Kathleen M. Fischer
The Nature of Biology Knowledge	25	(14)
James H. Wandersee
Kathleen M. Fischer
David E. Moody
Knowing Biology	39	(16)
James H. Wandersee
Kathleen M. Fischer
Student Misconceptions in Biology	55	(22)
Kathleen M. Fischer
David E. Moody
Meaningful and Mindful Learning	77	(18)
Kathleen M. Fischer
Language, Analogy, and Biology	95	(14)
James H. Wandersee
Using Concept Circle Diagramming as a Knowledge Mapping Tool	109	(18)
James H. Wandersee
Using Concept Mapping as a Knowledge Mapping Tool	127	(16)
James H. Wandersee
SemNet® Semantic Networking	143	(24)
Kathleen M. Fischer
The Paradox of the Textbook	167	(18)
David E. Moody
References	185	(16)
Author Index	201	(6)
Subject Index	207