Developing higher-order thinking skills with concept mapping: A case of pedagogic frailty

Concept maps have been proposed as a tool that can help develop and exercise higher-order thinking skills, including critical thinking, reflective thinking, synthesis, analysis, among others. In this paper, we review how the different aspects of constructing a concept map can help develop and exercise these skills, and discuss why most students never reach the level of concept mapping skills required to exercises their higher-order thinking skills, in what we propose is a case of pedagogic frailty involving the ‘Pedagogy and Discipline’ and ‘Locus of Control’ dimensions.