The Effect of Concept Mapping on Learning of "Nursing Process" Course by Second Semester Nursing Students of Tabriz University of Medicine, 2004.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Nursing students need a critical thinking and problem solving skills. Therefore, nursing education should use educational strategies to enhance these skills. Methods and Materials: To determine the effect of concept mapping on the students' meaningful learning, which is one of the ways to critical thinking, we conducted an experimental study designed with two groups. Thus, 45 nursing students of second semester were selected and randomly divided in two groups (the experimental n=24; the control groups n=21). The experimental group received the concept mapping treatment; the control group treatment; the control group treated just in traditional teaching method. For gathering data, we used achievement test that consist of two parts (knowledge test and meaningful test). Results: the results show that these two educational strategies were useful in enhancing knowledge and meaningful learning about nursing process (P=0.001). in comparison two groups, the average of experimental group, in knowledge test, was further than control group, but this difference didn't get a statistic significant (P=0.21). In meaningful test, also, the average of experimental group was further than control group and this difference got a statistic difference (P=0.03). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the concept mapping has a significant effect on meaningful learning of nursing students; therefore, we can use it to teach courses that need a deep understanding.