Synchronous tools allow the concurrent collaboration of two or more users.
In terms of concept map construction, a synchronous tool would allow two or more users to simultaneously edit the same concept map. CMapTools currently does not support synchronous collaboration. In an asynchronous model of collaboration, users are not expected to be imultaneously on-line, directly interacting with each other, or concurrently constructing a concept map. Both modules are described below. Another characteristic of concept maps is that the concepts are represented in a hierarchical fashion with the most inclusive, most general concepts at the top of the map and the more specific, less general concepts arranged hierarchically below.