Behavioral analysis of using concept maps for ESL reading comprehension on mobile learning devices

This study primarily investigates learners´ behaviors in the process of using concept map tools for ESL reading comprehension on mobile learning devices. Mobile learning devices enable learners to read at any time and anywhere; meanwhile, a concept map can scaffold learners to comprehend the whole structure of a reading article. Furthermore, data mining techniques are used to analyze whether there is any special phenomenon or rule in this experimental situation. The total number of collected behavioral records is 869. After transforming the records to a proper format, associative rule finding and clustering techniques are used to mine the behavioral records. There are five patterns founded. First, learners will construct all nodes for the whole concept map before creating links among them. Second, learners will begin to construct their concept map within one minute after reading the article. Third, learners will arrange their concept maps around twentieth minute; meanwhile, the frequency of constructing their concept maps will become low tide. Fourth, learners´ reading density shows double high peak at the point of time of 442 ^th and 1410 ^th second. Fifth, most learner use the function of deleting a node instead of the function of deleting a link in a concept map.