CmapTools as a Key Tool for Improving Academic Achievement in University Students

Abstract

For this study, 634 students were recruited and they consisted of an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was instructed and elaborated conceptual maps through the CmapTools software with respect to the study of the taught contents. The control group used study techniques of their own free choosing and with no prior instruction. The objective was to detect whether statistically significant differences between the two groups occur at the level of academic performance. For this purpose, the whole sample was evaluated by means of using the same examination-type testing over the whole sample. The obtained data reveal that the scores are higher in the experimental group than in the control group. Hence, it can be concluded that simple modifications in pedagogical strategy significantly improve the teaching-learning process and consequently improve the average performance of the students.