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Learning Maps as Cognitive Models for Instruction and Assessment
April 2025 • Russell Swinburne Romine, Jonathan Schuster, Meagan Karvonen, W. Jake Thompson, Karen A. Erickson, Vanessa R. Simmering, Sue Bechard
This paper describes large, fine-grained, intentionally inclusive, research-based cognitive models called learning maps. Learning maps are the product of an intensive research synthesis process to develop formal learning models that better reflect the diversity of how learners can learn and be assessed on academic content. Students begin at different places and learn at different rates, and they may have cognitive disabilities or may face a variety of barriers that pose challenges when learning content. Learning m…