Use of the Conceptual Map as a tool in the teaching-learning process: an experience with the Urogynecological and Obstetric Physiotherapy Discipline at UFRN
Meaningful learning; conceptual map; learning assessment.
Meaningful learning is a starting point for the construction of new teaching-learning methods. In this context, the concept map comes as an active methodology in which the student dynamically builds his knowledge, illustrative, creative and reflective, through a graphic representation of concepts that are related to each other, forming propositions. In turn, these propositions are formed by an initial concept, a final concept and a linking term that expresses the existing conceptual relationship. In this teaching process, the teacher is the student's mediator and encourager. Objective This study aimed to assess the students' perception of the potential of using the concept map as a teaching/learning strategy and evaluation tool in the Urogynecology and Obstetrics Discipline of the Physiotherapy Course at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Methodology Data were collected from concept maps constructed by students from a scale of established criteria, using the study by Bhusnurmath et al (2017) as a reference. The analysis of concept maps followed a 20-point scale, containing the following criteria: (1) organization, (2) interconnectedness, (3) clarity and understanding, (4) information accuracy, and (5) layout. Fifteen students enrolled in the discipline of urogynecology and obstetrics participated in the research. This methodology was included as an assessment method in this discipline in the second half of 2020. All participants signed the Informed Consent Form (TCLE). Forty-one maps that followed the criteria established for the construction of concept maps were accepted, and 20 maps did not belong to the concept maps standard. The Cmap Tools software developed and made available free of charge by the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC) was used by 100% of the participating students. A characterization and a perception scale were applied. Results The aim of this work is to contribute to a broader cognitive, constructive, reflective, active and creative development, forming independent citizens to form concepts an expand them.