Conversation Mapping In Nursing Education

What Is Conversation Mapping

    The Conversation Map” is a
tabletop display of visuals that helps participants contextualize the
information they gain (Healthy Interactions, nd ). The maps contain bright and
colorful graphics and are easy to read. Conversation Maps promote learning with
interaction and participation. They were developed by Merck & Company,
Healthy Interactions, the American Diabetes Association, and the Canadian
Diabetes Association They are available in 35 languages and in 110 countries
(Healthy Interactions, nd).

Utilization of Conversation Mapping in Nursing Education

    Conversation maps are used by
trained facilitators. They were created for participants with specific
diseases, most frequently diabetes mellitus. Using the maps in secondary
education settings for students is novel and innovative. Several studies suggest
that college-age students are team oriented, socially oriented, work well in
groups, and thrive on collaborative activities (Croasdale, 2008; Matulich,
Papp. & Haytko, 2008; McGlynn, 2007). 

    Recommendations are that the learning
environment should be collaborative, active, and intellectually challenging
(Matulich et al. 2008). A review of the literature by Conklin (2013)
recommended that faculty create learning environments by including listening,
giving opportunities to talk, giving praise as feedback, being responsive to
questions and comments, and acknowledging perspectives and experiences. The
experiential, interactive Conversation Map teaching method emphasizes all of
these recommendations. A description of using a conversation map with undergraduate
nursing students for persons with diabetes is described by Strang, Bagnardi,
and Utz (2010)

Components of Conversation Mapping

    There are three key points for the
use of Conversation Maps as a teaching pedagogy. Studies have been focused on
outcomes with adult patients with diabetes (Monk, 2010; Reaney, Eichorst, &
Gorman, 2012; Sperl-Hillen et al., 2013). These studies have shown short-term
results and participant satisfaction, Studies on the long-term effects are
limited. The interactive, participative, and experiential nature of this
teaching pedagogy supports the learning needs of students. Engaging students in
the course material through Conversation Maps has benefits beyond the
traditional classroom format

Impact of Conversation Mapping

    Health care providers and health
care educators are tasked with providing learning environments that meet the
needs of learners, generational factors, learning styles, and individual
characteristics need to be considered. Conversation Maps are relatively new in
both health care and the secondary education settings, and study results are
beginning to appear in the literature. Using this tool in health-related
classes serves a twofold purpose it is well suited for active participation and
exposes health care learners to a new learning tool. Conversation Maps have an
exciting future; however, more use and research are needed.