Eighth Graders·Academic Achievement and Thelr Ability to Construct a Cross-domain Concept Map (A Brain Function Perspective)

Abstract

NObOdY is born with poor memory. Remembering is a process that must be learnt just like walking, eating, talking, distinguishing colours find sound. According to an experiment our brain can store upto two quintillion bits of information. Scientists say we can compare our brain with a huge disorganized library, which has all kinds of collection of books with no catalogue or systematic arrangement. The need of the hour is to build up a mental catalogue for ou, r brain, which can help us in learning everything ' very fast, improving our power of retention and helping fast and correct recollection. In order to remember well and memorize etflclently one should learn to make associations because memory is nothing but connection of new thoughts, formation of new associations with those which are already stored in the brain, i.e., we learn new concepts only when we get linked or associated with the information/concepts already stored in the brain (B.R. Chowdhary). This is what paves the way for concept mapping.Concept mapping, developed by Prof. Joseph. D. Novak of Cornell University (1983), is a technique for visually representing the structure of information - how concepts within a domain are interrelated. It is based on Ausubel's theory of meaningful learning, which stresses that learning new knowledge is dependent on what is already known. More specifically, new knowledge gains meaning when it can be substantively related to a framework of existing knowledge rather than being "processed & filed" in isolation according to more or less arbitrary criteria. Concept mapping support the visualization of such conceptual frameworks and stimulates prior knowledge by making in explicit & requiring the learner to pay attention to the relationship between concepts (Jensen;1998).