Published Paper Details:

Concept Mapping is a method that inspires learning and aids in critical thinking, encourages students to connect new knowledge gained to their prior learning and also opens the chance to acquire more knowledge and information about a wide range of concepts within a short duration. The main objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of two teaching strategies Concept Mapping over Lecture method on Physiology of Pain and to assess the perception of the students regarding teaching strategies. A quantitative research approach using an experimental study, pre-test post-test control group design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted in selected nursing colleges in Pathanamthitta and Trivandrum district of Kerala, India. Using multi-stage cluster sampling technique 237 1st year BSc nursing students were selected 124 sample in control group and 113 sample in experimental group. The tool used for the study were a structured questionnaire for personal data and Knowledge and a structured opinionnaire. The findings of the study showed that the post-test scores of the samples in experimental group (76) 67.3 % had moderate knowledge, (37) 32.7 % had good knowledge was more than the post-test scores of the samples in control group (66) 53.2 % had moderate knowledge, (23) 18.6 % had good knowledge, thus concluding that concept mapping is a good method of teaching. The study results further show the opinion of the samples; data shows mean values of each aspect was higher for Concept Mapping compared to Lecture method of teaching, statistics shows that the p values were less than 0.01, concluding that the students considered concept mapping more effective than Lecture method of teaching. Data also shows that there was no association between pre-test knowledge score and selected demographic variables at 0.05 level of significance. The study concludes that concept mapping is an effective teaching strategy for teaching nursing students. Concept mapping was more effective in increasing the Knowledge of students as compared to Lecture method. The opinion of the students regarding concept mapping was high as students felt concept mapping as a good method of teaching considering many aspects like collaboration with other, encourages deep thinking etc. Thus the study shows that among the two strategies concept mapping was more effective and the students also perceived Concept mapping as a better teaching strategy than Lecture method.