A Knowledge Building Community Constructing a Knowledge Model Using Online Concept Maps

Knowledge models are structured representations of knowledge using symbols to represent components of knowledge and relationships between them while a knowledge building community involves a collection of individuals sharing a mutual interest - the construction of knowledge. This study examines a knowledge building community involved in constructing a knowledge model through the process of concept mapping in academic instruction in a Web-based learning environment. The study aimed to explore students´ usage, their attitudes and limitations in using concept maps as an online collaborative knowledge model. Results suggest that when using concept maps as a shared knowledge model in a Web-based learning environment, one should consider three limitations: the subjective nature of the concept maps, technological aspects and the scalability of the model.