Cognitive Maps: an Overview and their Application for Student Modeling Mapas Cognitivos: un Perfil y su Aplicación al Modelado del Estudiante

In this paper we state how Cognitive Maps can be used to model causal phenomena. In addition, we show the application of the Cognitive Maps to the field of the Student Modeling. Conceptually speaking, Cognitive Maps set and simulate the systems dynamics based upon qualitative knowledge. A Cognitive Map is a tool that gives away the entities of the issue of study. Moreover, Cognitive Maps bring out the causal phenomena as cause-effect relationships between concepts. According to the relationships, a topology and a workflow of causal effects is designed. Cognitive Maps aim to predict the evolution of a model through simulation. During the process are achieved causal inferences that estimate the variation on the state of the concepts. The simulation breaks down when the concept values reach a fixed point, a pattern of states or a chaotic region in the search space. Wherefore, in this paper we depict the underlying concepts for Causal Modeling by means of Cognitive Maps. In addition, three versions of Cognitive Maps are outlined. Besides to reveal their mathematical baseline, we illustrate their application through the development of a case of study focus on Student Model.