Compass: an Adaptive Web-based Concept Map Assessment Tool

In this paper, we present the architecture of an adaptive web-based concept map assessment tool, named COMPASS, which aims to support the assessment as well as the learning process. The presentation of the main modules of the tool focuses on the representation of the domain knowledge and the learner model, the diagnosis of the learner’s knowledge and the generation of the adaptive feedback. Based on an assessment goal that the learner selects, COMPASS provides various assessment activities, which employ concept mapping tasks. The diagnosis process identifies and analyses the learner’s beliefs represented on his/her map in order to perform (i) a qualitative estimation of his/her knowledge based on a categorization of the different types of errors, and (ii) a quantitative estimation of his/her knowledge level based on specific assessment criteria. Aiming to stimulate learners to reflect on their beliefs, COMPASS incorporates different informative and tutoring feedback components, in terms of delivering individualized feedback.