Effects of Concept Mapping Teaching on Children's Basketball Skill Performance and Problem Solving Abilities

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of concept mapping teaching on fifth grade students’ basketball skill performance and problem solving abilities. Fifth grade elementary school students (n = 60) were selected as subjects from Wanhua District in Taipei City. Thirty subjects were participated in concept mapping learning as an experimental group, and remaining thirty subjects were participated in ordinary skill training as a control group. Both groups met twice a week, 40 minutes per session for 10 weeks. The basketball skill test and the basketball problem solving test were performed before and after the intervention. Results indicated that experimental group had significant improvement on shooting, passing and dribbling after intervention, and performed better than control group. Experimental group had significant improvement on problem preventing and assessment after intervention. Furthermore, subjects in experimental group had significant improvement on direct prediction, reverse prediction and problem preventing compared to subjects in control group. This study concludes that concept mapping teaching approach increased the mental activities of children, and enhanced their basketball skill performance and problem solving abilities.