Concept maps (CMs) are useful to represent knowledge and promote meaningful learning. The aim of this study was to use Neighborhood Analysis (NeAn) to assess students' learning outcomes. Oxygen, erythrocyte, cells and nutrients were compulsory concepts (CCs) that must be used during the preparation of a CM to answer "how do nutrients and oxygen reach the cell?". The results showed that propositions involving CCs may be indicators of an adequate conceptual understanding about the topic. From all CMs considered in this study (n=36), more than 70% presented two or three CC-CC propositions. NeAn is a straightforward way to identify propositions with mistakes or lack of semantic, allowing teachers to assess students' level of conceptual understanding during the learning process.
Biology teaching; Meaningful learning; Learning evaluation; Concept maps
