Concept Mapping: as a Tool for Problem Based Learning on Students Problem Solving Skills, Metacognitive Awareness, and Self-directed Learning

This study delves into the utilization of concept mapping as a strategic tool within problem-based learning (PBL) to enhance students' problem-solving skills, metacognitive awareness, and self-directed learning abilities. Concept mapping, a visual representation of knowledge structures, is explored as a means to cultivate and refine students' problem-solving capabilities, preparing them for challenges in various domains. Additionally, the research investigates how concept mapping within a PBL context promotes metacognitive awareness, helping students become more conscious of their learning strategies and enabling them to identify gaps in understanding. Moreover, the study explores the role of concept mapping in empowering self-directed learning, fostering autonomy and a deeper sense of ownership over students' educational journeys. The insights gained from this research not only inform instructional design practices, providing evidence-based strategies for enhancing problem-based learning through concept mapping but also contribute to the broader educational research discourse, offering valuable perspectives on effective teaching and learning strategies.