Teaching and learning with concept maps.

Concept maps are teaching and learning tools that incorporate visual and written representations of related information. Nurse educators can employ concept mapping in various situations to promote a deeper level of learning and to improve retention of information among their students. Concept mapping has been suggested as a tool to assist in planning nursing care and developing critical thinking skills, as well as for evaluation of course learning. Evidence indicates that concept maps provide a more authentic assessment of participants' knowledge, understanding, critical thinking, and ability to link concepts than do traditional tests.