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Analogical Mapping Explorer

Run the Analogical Mapping Explorer Fullscreen Edit Using the p5.js Editor

About This MicroSim

This MicroSim visualizes structure mapping between a source and target domain. The learner drags connections from source elements (left) to target elements (right). Each mapping is scored as a relational match (green), surface-only match (amber), or contradictory (red).

Controls:

  • Domain Pair -- choose from Solar System/Atom or Plumbing/Circuit
  • Show Structure -- reveals the relational roles on each side (a scaffold that trades speed for retention)
  • Surface Distractors -- adds surface-only features to increase difficulty
  • Reset -- clears all mappings

Learning Objective (Analyze): Given a source and target domain, identify which elements map on structural grounds, which map only on surface features, and which do not map at all.