SYNOPTIC TABLE: USES, CHARACTERISTICS, ELABORATION, TYPES - ECONOMÍA - 2024

A synoptic table, summary table or synoptic map, is a visual design that graphically summarizes a topic or topic, specifying how it is divided and what are the relationships between the different divisions.

The main characteristic of the synoptic table is that it has a hierarchical structure in which it develops several ideas from one main idea. That is, it serves to order a topic and explain it visually and easily to understand.

Synoptic table of the Paleolithic clans.

What is a synoptic table?

The synoptic table is a graphic organizer that makes a "synopsis" of a specific topic, showing similarities and differences between the subtopics within the main topic. The example above shows how in the Paleolithic the clans were divided into villages and nomadic tribes.

A synoptic table is a practical and dynamic way of presenting texts, concepts or ideas through a visual format. Likewise, it turns out to be a tool that facilitates the understanding of the topics and the memorization of concepts thanks to the hierarchical structure that it develops.

Its structure allows starting from a general idea made up of several main ideas, which in turn are made up of complementary ideas, which develop specific details.

In the example above, the main theme "language" is ordered in its elements and how it is constructed. In the example below you can see a synoptic table of biological diversity.

In this way, a synoptic table allows the understanding of a certain topic in a simple, fast, understandable way and easier to memorize.

Uses of the synoptic table

It is an instrument that condenses information in a logical and simple way. It is a tool used in the educational field, although it is also useful for other spaces such as the professional, since it is effective to organize ideas that later can become important projects to be executed.

The prompt understanding of a synoptic table will be determined by the use of pieces that in turn allow to clarify the issues.

These pieces can be seen materialized in keys that will contain the themes or in geometric figures that will allow differentiating hierarchical levels and elements of the painting.

For a synoptic table to be made correctly and for the subject to be understood quickly and easily, it must have certain characteristics.

You may also be interested in learning about mind maps, other very useful tools to improve your study techniques.

Fundamental characteristics of a synoptic table

Summary table on total quality

1- Main topic developed in subtopics

The main characteristic of the synoptic table is that it has a large main theme that will develop into ideas or subtopics.

The preparation of a synoptic table begins with the general review of the topic that you want to include in the table. This will allow you to see clearly what are the main ideas, secondary ideas and important data.

In this phase, it is essential to analyze and classify ideas well. It is necessary to have enough bibliography to nourish the synoptic table with the most important data to describe.

In this step it is important to read, understand and interpret the study material, have a familiarity with it and have a general knowledge about it.

2- Related subtopics

The ideas or subtopics shown in the chart are always related, as they are within a main topic.

For example, in the Paleolithic clans summary table, the main subtopics / subideas are villages and nomadic tribes.

These two concepts are related to the main topic and therefore unrelated topics such as agriculture or livestock are not discussed.

3- Contains few main ideas / subtopics

We have already seen that the synoptic table aims to give clear, precise and truthful information on a topic, which will be assimilated and understood easily.

To achieve this, it is necessary that the main theme is ideally composed of 3 or 4 main ideas, which will develop secondary ideas.

Having no more than 4 main ideas will allow the topic to be explained in a practical, simple and precise way and not to become difficult to understand.

4- The relationship between topics and subtopics is graphically represented

The relationships between the main themes are expressed in the synoptic tables graphically, without the need to express it verbally.

For example, in the synoptic table of language it is not expressly commented that "language consists of several elements", but is expressed graphically.

5- Allows the order of general and specific topics

The synoptic table allows you to order very general topics and also the most specific ones.

For example, you can order the main topic "sport" in water sports, outdoors and in pavilion / indoor track.

You could also order the subject "water sports" or even an even more specific one, such as "swimming."

6- It can be used to study or to solve problems

Although summary tables are especially used in education, to allow easy understanding of a topic, they can also be used to solve problems.

Graphically expressing a problem as "pollution in the city" will allow you to see which are the main factors affected and focus on possible solutions.

7- Its structure is hierarchical vertical or horizontal

The synoptic table can be made in two graphic ways. With information developed, from top to bottom, that is to say vertically, the most important information being the one that has a higher level and therefore will go higher.

The information can also be located from left to right, that is, horizontally, placing the main topic first and moving to the right with the main ideas, secondary ideas and details.

8- Does not allow confusion

A well done synoptic chart should clearly express the most important points of a main topic.

If you make a table of "the steps of the scientific method" it should clearly express the six steps graphically.

9-

As the synoptic table is a way to visualize the information in a simpler way, this is done through geometric figures such as rectangles, lines or keys that enclose the specific information, thus achieving a better understanding of it.

10- It is a support tool

The synoptic table graphically expresses how a main theme is arranged, although it does not explain it.

For example, the box at the beginning of the article on language does not explain in detail what the sender, receiver or message is.

How to effectively use a synoptic chart?

When studying, the ideal is to first read the topic and then make the synoptic table. Although there may be different steps, one possibility is this:

1- Read the main topic

For example, read what "the elements of language" are, try to understand and process it. If necessary, read it a second or even a third time.

2- Make the picture

When you have understood the topic well, draw the synoptic chart, without adding many ideas. Remember that it will support you. The next section explains how to do it step by step.

3- Use the chart to remember the most important of the main topic

Well, you have the painting. This will help you to be very clear about the subtopics of the main topic.

Look at the chart you have made and ask yourself if you clearly understand each subtopic.

Example: Do you clearly understand what the elements of language are?

4- Use other memorization techniques

Once you are clear about what is most important in a topic and how it is arranged in its topics, use memorization techniques and effective study principles.

Don't try to memorize simply by repeating, as it is ineffective, boring, and you will be mentally exhausted.

Here I explain some of those principles.

Preparation of the synoptic table

There are a series of steps that will allow the realization of a good synoptic table, either as a study technique or for the presentation of a topic. These are the 6 steps you can start with:

1- General review of the topic

This is done to better understand the topic and become familiar with it.

2- Identify the most important or main ideas and the secondary ones

Identifying these ideas seeks to discard information that may be repetitive or redundant.

3- Choose keywords that allow the synthesis of global concepts

That is, it is about grouping ideas in which common properties are involved.

4- Determine the general idea of ​​the topic

This general idea will be the title of the synoptic table.

5- Extract relevant data or information that complements the ideas

These data will serve to establish relationships between the concepts and make them clearer.

6- Make an outline or draft of what the final result will be

To do this, the necessary tables should be used, so that the information is organized and understandable.

Synoptic table types

Horizontal distribution

Source: slideshare

The general idea or title of the table is centered on the left side of the sheet. Then, in hierarchical order, the main ideas are organized, then the secondary ones, and finally the complements or clarifications of the ideas.

All the information will come off in order of importance in a clockwise direction. You can use arrows, braces, parentheses, etc., which will allow the concepts to be related.

Vertical distribution

Source: slideshare

In this case, the information will be organized respecting the hierarchical level of each concept, starting from the upper part of the sheet where the general idea will be placed in the center.

The main and secondary ideas will be displayed down in order of importance. Also in this distribution you can use keys, arrows, parentheses, etc., which allow a better organization and relationship of the concepts.

It should be noted that the use of these icons is not essential as long as each element or category of the synoptic table is well differentiated.

Examples of summary tables

Personal relationships

Angiosperms

Polymers

Differences with concept maps and mind maps

As said at the beginning of the article, the synoptic tables graphically express a hierarchical structure and show similarities and differences between the subtopics of the main topic.

The concept map, as its name implies, joins concepts from links. However, there does not have to be an order between them, or hierarchy. It is used to explain concepts, not relationships.

The mind map is abstract, it uses drawings, links and whatever the student thinks is necessary. It is used to memorize, explain ideas and even solve problems. A word / idea is written in the center and links emerge from there. It is very similar to the synoptic painting, although abstract and uses colors and images.

Programs for making synoptic tables

There are numerous tools that facilitate the construction of the synoptic table. Below are 5 free programs that allow you to do this process in a faster way.

It is important to emphasize that the use of these tools in no way replaces the capacity for analysis and synthesis that the user must have.

Lucidchart

It is a program to make synoptic tables, mental and conceptual maps online. The user must register with an email to enter and use the tool.

It has the following advantages:

- It is a collaborative tool, since multiple users can edit, view and make notes on the same document simultaneously from anywhere and in real time.

- Allows you to publish and share the synoptic table through social networks or email, and even add it to web pages, blogs, wiki sites.

- It makes it possible to convert the file to PDF, image, text, etc. formats, and even add it to presentations and reports.

- It has templates that make the tool easy to use, allowing you to create attractive and professional schemes.

- Its functionality consists of "drag and drop", which makes it easy to use.

- It can be used from any browser.

- It has integrations with various applications, such as: Google Drive, Google Apps, Microsoft Visio, among others.

FreeMind

It is a free software specialized in the creation of mental maps. However, its functions allow the preparation of synoptic tables. It has the following advantages:

- It is compatible with almost any computer and its download is free.

- The functions of this software are quite intuitive, which allows easy manipulation of the tool.

- It allows exporting to other formats, such as: EXCEL, WORD, PDF, HTML, XML; also to different image formats.

- Allows you to maintain templates where only by changing ideas and concepts it is possible to obtain a new synoptic table.

Mindomo

It is an application for making mind maps, concept maps and schematics, provides the ability to use its online platform and also offers free native applications for iOS and Android.

Among the advantages offered by this application, the following stand out:

- It allows converting the synoptic table into a presentation.

- As a native application, it has the goodness of working with or without an Internet connection.

- In its history of changes, it allows you to keep track of the modifications made to the diagrams.

- Facilitates the addition of web images from the box itself.

- It allows the recording of videos and sound if the presentation requires it.

- Contains pre-established templates to more easily develop mind maps, concepts or schematics, either at school or in a company.

- Allows import and export from any format.

- It can be used on the computer as well as on mobile devices.

- It is collaborative, that is, several users can work on the same file simultaneously, allowing the display of notes, tasks, links, etc.

FreePlane

It is also free software. In fact, it is a continuation of the FreeMind project, with similar benefits, intuitive functions and the same advantages as its predecessor.

It allows creating and visualizing mental and conceptual maps, but also synoptic tables can be elaborated.

It is compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux. It is free and is frequently updated to provide the latest features and benefits.

To make a synoptic table with this tool or its counterpart (FreeMind), the following steps must be followed:

- Click on the "create new map" button.

- Then, click on "new child node", in order to get the general idea and a main idea.

- Set the width of the "child node". From the width, the hierarchy of the ideas in the painting will emerge, which will depend on the user.

- Next, a "sibling node" must be created for the previous node, which can be done by copying and pasting the first child node, taking care of the width, which is what will give clarity and establish the levels of information to be placed. there.

- The previous steps are repeated until the number of nodes required for the main ideas or concepts of the synoptic table is obtained.

- Then they are repeated for each new hierarchical or importance level of the table.

- As the tool allows to see the complete picture (levels and hierarchies), nodes must be collapsed, so that the user can focus on the study of specific areas of the synoptic table.

- To add text in each node or point of the box, right click on the node that needs to be edited and a content editing box opens, the text is added and the node will keep the preset width.

Mind42

It is an online tool that allows in a simple way to create flow of ideas and share the task with others through the web. It is considered one of the most flexible options in its category.

To use this tool it is necessary to register and confirm the account through an email. Once these steps have been completed, you can access the site and start creating synoptic tables.

To do this, it is necessary to follow the following steps:

- Click on the "Start mind mapping" button, enter the title and then you will be able to view the toolbar that is essential for preparing these diagrams.

- The entered title will be established as the main node, to which the necessary nodes are then added to order the secondary ideas or concepts.

- Images, links, notes, comments and / or different figures can be added to the nodes to represent it.

- It has the advantage of adding the information to the nodes through voice messages on the microphone icon.

- Collaborators can be added by clicking the "Collaborations" button.

- You can also share the picture through the network with the "Publish" button. It has the options of URL, HTML and iframe code.

- You have the ability to import the files into image formats.

References

1. Synoptic table web. Synoptic table. Mexico (2017). Recovered from picturesinoptic.com.
2. Definition. Definition of synoptic table. (Mexico). Recovered from definicion.mx.
3. Innovation center for the development and training in educational materials. Synoptic table. Mexico. Recovered from cidecame.uaeh.edu.mx.