Week 1.2 Mindmapping tools

This week we are doing three categories of webtools:
1) Mindmapping
2) Podcasting
3) Photo sharing

Just to keep the element of surprise I think I will only mention the tools we are learning about that day - to keep you coming back out of curiosity!!! (I'll see how that works!) So today we have the category of Mindmapping and I am going to mention two free online mindmapping tools that I like to use, a simple one and a more elaborate one. 

Why mindmap?

Mindmapping is a great thinking tool. It has been suggested that this visual technique can improve learning and study efficiency up to 15% over conventional note-taking. It is also a very popular planning technique and definitely something one should introduce in every classroom.  It is a great way to brainstorm and generate ideas. 

1. Use bubbl.us to mindmap

What I like about bubbl.us is that it is a simple non-elaborate mindmapping tool that is easy to catch on to, and is useful for a younger class.  It can be accessed at https://bubbl.us/.  This is what a completed bubbl.us mindmap might look like. It has an attractive colourful look. 

A big plus about using this tool with younger classes is that they don't have to sign up. The mondmaps can also be exported as images such as JPEGS. Students  start with an idea and flesh it out by inserting ideas into bubbles. The bubbles can then be connected and color coded giving a visual representation of the connections between ideas.

I hope you won't mind if I attach YouTube video tutorials today for the sake of time! This one seemed to explain how to use bubbl.us quite well I thought. 





2. Use Spiderscribe to mindmap

I also like to use Spiderscribe to mindmap as you can do so much more with it than with bubbl.us. With Spiderscribe you can easily make a very engaging attractive mindmap:
*you can add a text note, and even include active weblinks
*you can add photos,
*you can attach Word documents or PDFs
*you can attach maps
*you can attach calendar eventsBelow you can see more clearly the five elements you can add. Spiderscribe can  be accessed at  http://www.spiderscribe.net.  

Below you can see what a Spiderscribe mindmap could look like. You can add a lot more colour than is shown here. This image is taken from Richard Byrne's post on Spiderscribe.  It shows the five different items now added to the mindmap. Spiderscribe also easily allows  collaboration between students.  

Once again I am going to show the instructions via a YouTube video tutorial that seems to explain how to create a Spiderscribe mindmap quite well.




Mindmapping in the classroom

1. Spiderscribe especially is great to use in subjects like History or Geography because the students can make concept maps and add pictures, word documents plus organise the map in such a way that it can be remembered easily.

2. For English classes this can be used to summarise a novel, or create notes on something they are studying. 

3. This is a great way to collect information for a project as well and also to collaborate on projects. 

4. In Language classes students can brainstorm and outline a story they are planning to write

A challenge

*Please try out one of these tools and if you create something do share it with us.
*Please also add any other ideas you may have for using a mindmap in class.