An Introduction to Concept Mapping

1. An Introduction to Concept Mapping

2. What Is Concept Mapping? Concept mapping . . . • Is a structured process • Focuses on a topic or construct of interest • Involves input from one or more participants • Produces an interpretable pictorial view (concept map) of ideas and concepts and how these are interrelated

3. What is concept mapping? It helps individuals think as a group... without losing their individuality. It helps groups to manage complexity... without trivializing or losing detail.

4. Steps in the Concept Mapping Process

5. 1 Manage time effectively. 4 Manage resources effectively. 14 Scan a multitude of information and decide what is important. 20 Decide how to manage multiple tasks. 39 Organize the work when directions are not specific. 49 Work quickly and effectively under pressure. Steps in the Process 1. Generate up to 100 statements that describe - The elements of the training or - The desired outcomes

6. 1. Generate up to 100 statements that describe - The elements of the training or - The desired outcomes . . . 2. Sort the statements into piles of similar ones Decide how to manage multiple tasks. 20 Manage resources effectively. 4 Work quickly and effectively under pressure 49 Organize the work when directions are not specific. 39

7. 1. Generate up to 100 statements that describe - The elements of the training or - The desired outcomes 2. Sort the statements into piles of similar ones Rating Sheet 1 Manage time effectively 2 Manage resources effectively. 3 Scan a multitude of information and decide what is important. 1 2 3 4 5 4 Decide how to manage multiple tasks. 5 Organize the work when directions are not specific. 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 3 Scan a multitude of information and decide what is important. 1 Manage time effectively 3. Rate the statements according to importance 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5

8. 1. Generate up to 100 statements that describe - The elements of the training or - The desired outcomes 2. Sort the statements into piles of similar ones 3. Rate the statements according to importance 4. Analyze the data to develop maps

9. Processes/ Methodology Technical Issues Graphical User Interface Documentation Client Issues Change Control Personal Awareness Team Issues & Skill Management 1. Generate up to 100 statements that describe - The elements of the training or - The desired outcomes . . 2. Sort the statements into piles of similar ones 3. Rate the statements according to importance 5. Interpret the maps 4. Analyze the data to develop maps

10. 1. Generate up to 100 statements that describe - The elements of the training or -The desired outcomes 2. Sort the statements into piles of similar ones 6. Use the maps 3. Rate the statements according to importance 5. Interpret the maps 4. Analyze the data to develop maps

11. A Concept Mapping Example Development of a Business Training Course

12. Example Processes/ Graphical User Methodology Interface Technical Issues Documentation Client Issues This is what a final concept map looks like. Change Control Management Team Issues Layer Low High 1 2.70 2.98 2 2.98 3.26 3 3.26 3.54 4 3.54 3.82 5 3.82 4.10 Personal Awareness & Skill

13. Example Processes/ Graphical User Methodology Interface Technical Issues Documentation Client Issues Change Control Management Team Issues Layer Low High 1 2.70 2.98 2 2.98 3.26 3 3.26 3.54 4 3.54 3.82 5 3.82 4.10 Personal Awareness & Skill Here’s how we build it...

14. 1 Manage time effectively. 4 Manage resources effectively. 14 Scan a multitude of information and decide what is important. 20 Decide how to manage multiple tasks. 39 Organize the work when directions are not specific. 49 Work quickly and effectively under pressure. Example 2 13 17 16 22 18 3 24 23 38 27 43 26 12 8 50 52 25 44 6 36 37 41 29 30 34 This initial map shows all the elements of the training in relation to each other. 7 35 51 47 42 31 28 10 33 54 45 32 14 39 1 40 11 46 49 48 4 9 56 55 20 19 5 21 53 15

15. 2 13 16 8 18 3 24 23 38 17 27 43 26 22 12 8 6 7 50 52 25 44 6 36 37 9 41 29 30 34 3 7 35 51 47 42 31 10 2 33 How the training elements were grouped into clusters of similar ones. 54 45 28 32 14 4 39 1 1 40 11 46 49 48 4 9 56 19 20 55 5 5 21 53 15 Example

16. Processes/ Methodology Example Graphical User Interface Technical Issues Documentation Client Issues Change The major components of the training can be labeled. Control Management Team Issues Personal Awareness & Skill

17. Example Processes/ Graphical User Methodology Interface Technical Issues Documentation The relative importance or emphasis of each training component Client Issues Change Control Management Team Issues Layer Low High 1 2.70 2.98 2 2.98 3.26 3 3.26 3.54 4 3.54 3.82 5 3.82 4.10 Personal Awareness & Skill

18. Some Advantages of Concept Mapping • Overcomes ambiguities in verbal communication • Avoids “forcing” consensus • Embraces diversity • Refocus dialogue on the right issues • Allows for emergent ideas • Models real-life complexity • Surfaces the disconnects before spending resources