Constructivism in Practice: The Case for Meaning-Making in the Virtual World

Appendix C: Concept Map Rating Criteria

CARBON CYCLE

1. Cycle must be visible in the diagram, or described explicitly.
1. The steps in the process need to be evident/labeled/explained.
1. Steps in the Carbon Cycle to be identified: CO₂ formation, O₂ formation, decomposition.
1. Objects needed to complete the cycle: Plants giving off O₂ and taking in CO₂; animals giving off CO₂ and taking in O₂. Release of carbon from the system through decomposing flesh or feces.

ENERGY CYCLE

1. Cycle must be visible in the diagram, or described explicitly.
1. The steps in the process need to be evident/labeled/explained.
1. Steps in the Energy Cycle to be identified: The Food Chain, and how energy transfers from one organism to another, including decomposition and its contribution to plant growth and regeneration.
1. Objects needed to complete the cycle: Blue-green algae, fish, dragon flys, turtle, duck, fox, aligator, birds.

NITROGEN CYCLE

1. Cycle must be visible in the diagram, or described explicitly.
1. The steps in the process need to be evident/labeled/explained.
1. Steps in the Nitrogen Cycle to be identified: Nitrogen fixing, movement of nitrogen through the food chain, denitrofication, decomposition (release of fixed and free nitrogen into the air and soil).
1. Objects needed to complete the cycle: Free nitrogen, lightening storm (cloud with lightening emitting from it), rain transferring fixed nitrogen into the ground for absorption into plants, nitrogen fixing bacteria, plants with fixed nitrogen, duck ( to eat plants), fox (to eat duck), dead duck and feces, detnitrofying bacteria.

WATER CYCLE

1. Cycle must be visible in the diagram, or described explicitly.
1. The steps in the process need to be evident/labeled/explained.
1. Steps in the Water Cycle to be identified: cloud formation (condensation), rainfall (precipitation), groundwater accumulation, water vapor (evaporation).
1. Objects needed to complete the cycle: Energy from the sun, water vapor, clouds, rainfall, lake representing groundwater accumulation.