This document discusses concept mapping as a method for interaction design. It defines the key elements of a concept map as a focus question, concept terms, linking lines and labels. It describes how concept mapping can be used to summarize design sessions, establish interface vocabularies, build team understanding and provide input for information architecture. The document outlines the process for creating a concept map and different types of links. It also discusses concept mapping software and differences between concept maps and mind maps. Examples of concept maps in interaction design are provided.

1. Concept Mapping in
Interaction Design
IFI7156 Interaction Design Methods

2. (Vicwood40, 2005)

3. Elements of a concept map
• Focus question
• Concept terms
• Linking lines
• Labels

4. Role in interaction design
• Summarizing design sessions
• Establishing user interface vocabulary
• Building a common understanding in a project
team
• Providing input for information architecture

5. Process
1. Identify a focus question
2. Write down main concepts
3. Choose the most general concept and categorize
other concepts under that
4. Connect concepts with linking lines and choose
appropriate labels
5. Introduce intermediate concepts when you have
more than 4 concepts under any concept

6. Types of links
• causal (leads to, produces)
• explanation (is a reason for)
• nominal (known as)
• property (consists of, has)
• procedure (results in, done by, way to do)
• probable (likely, always)
• event (comes before)
(Loganathan, 2010)

7. Concept mapping software
• CmapTools: http://cmap.ihmc.us
• Visual Understanding Environment: http://
vue.tufts.edu

8. Why not mind maps?
• Only one central
concept
• No linking labels
• Typically only linear
structure
(Nicoguaro, 2011)

9. Examples

10. (Leinonen et al, 2010)

11. (Põldoja & Väljataga, 2010)

12. (Põldoja et al, 2011)

13. References
• Leinonen, T., Purma, J., Põldoja, H., & Toikkanen, T. (2010). Information Architecture and
Design Solutions Scaffolding Authoring of Open Educational Resources. IEEE
Transactions on Learning Technologies, 3(2), 116–128. doi:10.1109/TLT.2010.2
• Loganathan, M. (2010). Concept map vs mind map. http://www.slideshare.net/
muralidharanl/concept-map-vs-mind-map-6287765
• Nicoguaro (2011). Mind map guidelines. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
File:MindMapGuidlines.svg
• Põldoja, H., & Väljataga, T. (2010). Externalization of a PLE: Conceptual Design of
LeContract. In The PLE 2010 Conference Proceedings. Barcelona: Citilab.
• Põldoja, H.,Väljataga, T., Laanpere, M., & Tammets, K. (2012). Web-based self- and peer-
assessment of teachers’ digital competencies. World Wide Web. doi:10.1007/
s11280-012-0176-2
• Vicwood40 (2005). Concept map. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Conceptmap.gif

14. Photos
• Aaron E. Silvers, http://www.flickr.com/photos/silvers/6269204209/

15. Hans Põldoja
hans.poldoja@tlu.ee
Interaction Design Methods
http://ifi7156.wordpress.com
Tallinn University
Institute of Informatics
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