Knowledge maps and information processing strategies

Prior research suggests students experience several problems when presented with spatial/verbal displays such as expert knowledge maps (k-maps). The present study examines the compensatory effects of a summarization strategy on expert k-map substitutes for text. Ninety-six subjects studied a science passage in text or k-map format using a summarization or reread strategy. Results indicated that k-maps and summarization had a positive effect on main idea recall, but no effect on the recall of detail ideas. Also, summarization appears to be an effective strategy for novice k-map readers.