Method guide · Arrange people and ideas
Comparing Concept Maps
Compare relationships in individual maps without merging them into one correct map or scoring knowledge.
- People
- 3–20
- Base procedure time
- 30 minutes
- Recording
- Shared record
Purpose: Explore through dialogue; Reflect and learn.
English guide
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How this method works
A method for individually drawing concept maps around the same central term and comparing common and different links. Use it when people assume shared words mean shared understanding, judge correctness before hearing explanations, or lose the origins of differences in reflection. Each person extends related terms from the centre and writes a relationship verb on each line. Groups keep maps side by side without merging and copy common and differing links onto a transparent sheet using different symbols. The result is individual maps, a comparison difference map, and a relationship to check next. Do not use it to score knowledge or correct people towards one uniquely right map. Record differing links after their author explains the reasons.
Phase schedule
Minutes are cumulative from the start of the base plan, not a live timer. Read scaling for any additional time. Phase controls do not advance automatically.
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- Define the central term0–3 minutes from the start (3 minutes)
Action: Define. Participation: Everyone.
Recording not separately specified for this phase
- Draw individual maps3–10 minutes from the start (7 minutes)
Action: Draw. Participation: Individually.
Individual record
- Trace differences10–18 minutes from the start (8 minutes)
Action: Trace. Participation: Groups of 2–3.
Shared record
- Hear reasons for links18–25 minutes from the start (7 minutes)
Action: Hear. Participation: Groups of 2–3.
Shared record
- Keep the comparison map25–30 minutes from the start (5 minutes)
Action: Keep. Participation: Everyone.
Shared record
Facilitation steps
- For 3 minutes, define the comparison subject in one word and have everyone write the same word at the map centre.
- For 7 minutes, each person places up to 8 related terms and writes relationship verbs on lines to the central term.
- For 5 minutes, place maps side by side in groups and copy only the same words and same-direction lines onto the transparent sheet.
- For 3 minutes, copy lines present on only one map using difference symbols, without erasing or merging them into one line.
- For 7 minutes, the author of each differing link explains why, and the listener returns only one clarifying question.
- For 5 minutes, each group selects one differing link to check next and moves it to the whole-group surface.
If something changes
If
Five minutes into individual drawing, at least half of a group's participants have fewer than 2 lines.
Then
Add one related term each from before, during, and after the subject.
If
Four minutes into comparison, there are no differing links and at least 5 common links.
Then
Choose one shared term and have its authors rephrase whether the verbs on the line really mean the same thing.
Preparation
Materials
- One A4 individual-map sheet per person
- Eight concept cards per person, one word per card
- One transparent comparison sheet per group, plus one for whole-group integration
- One writing implement per person for common links and one for differing links, in two colours
Room and setup
- Groups of 2–3 with participants distributed evenly
- One work table per group for placing individual maps side by side
- One whole-group integration surface for overlaying one difference per group
Adjust for people and time
Do not use the method with 1–2 people because there are too few comparison partners. With 3–20, form groups of 2–3 differing by no more than 1 person, with every group within 2–3. Give one transparent sheet per group and one map sheet per person, transferring one difference per group to everyone. With 20 people, arrange one difference from each of ten groups on one integration sheet.
Safety and non-applicable situations
Do not score knowledge or force one correct map. Retain different links without erasing or merging them, hear the author's reasons, and use only the stated clarifying question rather than premature judgement.
Historical translation and source notes
These original notes are retained verbatim with their fixed source versions. This historical label does not resolve a source-specific concern or establish current acceptance.
- The guide says to record differing links after their authors explain, but the steps copy differing links for 3 minutes before the 7-minute explanation. Both orders remain without reordering the source procedure.
Manuscript's recorded references
These translate the original manuscript's source and rights claims. They remain separate from any current-page notice below; they do not establish new verification.
- Greg Wilson: Comparing Concept Maps
https://openpracticelibrary.com/practice/comparing-concept-maps/
Adaptation under CC BY 4.0; changes made
- CC BY 4.0
Current-page licence notice
A Taiwa no Fumen adaptation based on the Open Practice Library practice identified below. The manuscript's recorded references and the source page checked for this notice are shown separately.
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Credits on the checked source page
- Named contributors on the source page: Greg Wilson
- Contributors listed in the official practice source (repository handles): @gvwilson
Source page checked on 2026-10-17: Comparing Concept Maps.
Source lineage
CC BY-SA 4.0 — this site's adaptation and translation contributions · Legal code · Official source policy
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Diagram, print, and video language
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Editorial provenance
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