Inspiration, not the only Mind Map software out there

   I decided I would spend some time this week looking at various software available designed for mind-mapping.  I came across this one call Mindjet.  This one was interesting because it allows you to send your mindmap through various social networking sites, such as twitter, facebook etc.  Also, if you have a Mac computer it allows you to share your mindmap while you are ichating with someone which I thought was a very cool feature.

http://www.mindjet.com/products/mindmanager-mac/features.


Mind Genius is another software, but there website wasn't very user friendly to me, and this software didn't seem as useful as others.

http://www.mindgenius.com/products.aspx


ThinkBuzan is another mindmap product out there.  This one seems to be focused on apple products; iphone, ipad, mac computers.  Which I found very interesting that this feature could be on your phone!

http://www.thinkbuzan.com/us/products/imindmapoutline?utm_nooverride=1&gclid=CKyxqrr5raQCFZpN5Qod7WH-0g.


Well I hope you enjoy looking at these various types of software!

Mind Maps for assessment

     Looking in to mind maps more and thinking about how they can be used as assessments I have started to think about how they could be graded.  Since they can be produced in a variety of ways I think it is very important for a teacher to have a specific rubric they are using while looking at various mind maps to make sure that the quality of all the mind maps are the same.
     Just from beginning to think about a rubric some aspects that I see as important are making sure they get a specific number of ideas as well as the connection made between the ideas are sufficient.  Depending on the various tasks the teacher would have to determine what "sufficient" meant.  Math may mean that the student rounded correctly or identified that the number was odd or even etc.  The idea of making a rubric can be a complex task and something that would have to change for each assignment and may have to vary for a couple students who may need a couple adaptations.

Ways to Improve Mind-Mapping

    Knowing different ways to improve instruction is only useful when a person is fully aware how to use it as well as how to encourage others to improve their skills.  Below are some tips on how to make the most out of your mind-mapping experience and to make it the most beneficial to you.  I was also wondering does anyone have any other ideas that could work?

Improving your Mind Maps

Once you understand how to make notes in the Mind Map format, you can develop your own conventions to take them further. The following suggestions may help to increase their effectiveness:

• Use single words or simple phrases for information: Most words in normal writing are padding: They convey facts in the correct context, and in a format that is pleasant to read. In your own Mind Maps, single strong words and meaningful phrases can convey the same meaning more potently. Excess words just clutter the Mind Map.
  
  
• Print words: Joined up or indistinct writing can be more difficult to read.
  
  
• Use color to separate different ideas: This will help you to separate ideas where necessary. It also makes your Mind Map easier to remember. Color also helps to show the organization of the subject.
  
  
• Use symbols and images: Where a symbol or picture means something to you, use it. Pictures can help you to remember information more effectively than words.
  
  

• Using cross-linkages: Information in one part of the Mind Map may relate to another part. Here you can draw in lines to show the cross-linkages. This helps you to see how one part of the subject connects with another.

I got this information from the following link:  http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm

A website that gives an overview of my topic

The topic I decided to do my blog about is concept mapping/mind-mapping software.

I stumbled upon this one website that looks specifically into a mind-mapping software.  This website is split up in a couple of different ways that allows for viewers to see how this software can be effective.  For instance, there are tabs labeled; educators, parents, business, and personal life, so no matter what your job is this website explains how this software can be beneficial to you or the people around you.

               Something I found really useful on this website is that it gives the viewer multiple ideas and lessons where this software has been used and was effective.  Often I feel that educators may be presented with software, or types of technology, but unless they fully know how this product can be used they probably won’t use it.

            The benefits of looking through this website are endless because it gives you additional readings that go along with this idea as well as an online community you can sign up for that allows you to collaborate with others online about how to use concept mapping with the topic you are working on or assisting others who may need some advice.  I hope that you all find this website as beneficial as I did and I’m sure you will also see how you could spend a long time on this website looking through all the content and examples which are provided.     

** The link to this website is: http://www.inspiration.com/