Mapping South African History

This study aims to evaluate an experimental tool that allows users to create, edit, and visualize digital content and relationships among them using concept maps.

MASH is a web application with two main components: Complex Object Creator and Editor (COCE) and Complex Object Mappings Renderer (COMR). COCE handles the creation and editing of concept maps. COMR handles concept map visualization.

25 participants, with varying academic backgrounds, evaluated MASH via an online questionnaire, where they were given a list of tasks to perform, rate and give feedback on. Evaluators praised the features' simplicity and their ability to grasp how to complete tasks. MASH's design was simple enough for users to complete required tasks easily. But it also reduced user engagement and enthusiasm.

MASH appears to be promising and users find it interesting. With some advanced enhancement, it can become a specialized concept mapping tool.