IMPACT OF CONCEPT MAPPING ON 7TH GRADE STUDENTS' SELF-EFFICACY

Abstract

The Concept mapping is student centered learning method which allows the learners to graphically organize their data for make it more understandable and communicative. The previous researches have explored its cognitive benefits but nature of strategy and learners’ engagement may bring psychological benefits. Academic self-efficacy in important aspect for learners’ holistic development, as it helps in improving persistence, self-monitoring, and reduced science learning anxiety. The aim of the study was to investigate how using concept mapping as a teaching and learning tool effects the academic self-efficacy of seventh-grade general science students. For this quasi-experimental research, pre-test, post-test control group design was used. Sample included two intact groups of 81female students from a public school. Research involved one independent variable i.e. concept mapping to assess the impact on the other 2 dependent variables i.e. Generalized Academic self-efficacy (GASE) subject specific self-efficacy (SSSE). One of the objective of this study, was to explore the effect of concept mapping on academic self-efficacy of 7th grade students. Another objective was to find out the separate and then combined effect of concept mapping on Generalized Academic self-efficacy and Subject Specific Self-efficacy of 7^th grade students. Quantitate research tool, based on five point Likert scale was adopted and used as a pre-test and a post-test. In the intervention of 8 weeks, the experimental group students received instruction on building concept maps and were overseen by the scholar, students-made concept maps were compared to the standard concept maps to assess the level of proficiency gained by students. The data analysis was conducted by applying t-test and MANOVA, the results indicated that students instructed with the help of concept mapping showed improved level of self-efficacy compared to those taught through traditional teaching methods. Thus it is suggested that concept maps as teaching learning strategy can be used in elementary school level for improving academic self-efficacy in elementary school level.