title: The Utility of Concept Maps to Facilitate Higher-Level Learning in a Large Classroom Setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the utility of concept mapping in a cardiovascular therapeutics course within a large classroom setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students enrolled in a cardiovascular care therapeutics course completed concept maps for each major chronic cardiovascular condition. A grading rubric was used to facilitate peer-assessment of the concept map.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students were administered a survey at the end of the course assessing their perceptions on the usefulness of the concept maps during the course and also during APPEs to assess utility beyond the course. Question item analyses were conducted on cumulative final examinations comparing student performance on concept-mapped topics compared to nonconcept-mapped topics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Concept maps help to facilitate meaningful learning within the course and the majority of students utilized them beyond the course.
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA.
authors.forename: Sian M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Carr-Lopez
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA.
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Galal
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA.
authors.forename: Deepti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vyas
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA.
authors.forename: Rajul A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA.
authors.forename: Eric H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Gnesa
mesh_terms: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D032882:Comprehension; D003210:Concept Formation; D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010465:Perception; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents
keywords: active learning; concept mapping; critical thinking