Benefits & Uses of Mind Maps

1. Gives a visual representation of multiple options

2. Hierarchy of ideas

2.1. Sub topic

2.1.1. Even more specific!

2.2. Sub topic 2

3. Customizable

3.1. Different Themes

3.2. Multiple Colors

3.3. Multiple Icons

3.4. Bubbles can be linked and disconnected

4. Example: This tool could be used in a future classroom to visually illustrate a students understand of a topic. Ask them to start large with broad topics first and then break those topics down into more specific sections. This allows the teacher to know each students depth of knowledge about a certain subject at a glance

5. Capabilities: The capabilities of a Mind Map are fairly extensive given the options. There are a lot of websites that offer Mind Map type services and education (MindMapping.com, MindTools.com, etc...) - but I've found that MindMeister is easy to pick up, and offers depth when needed - but it's very easy for a new learner to pick it up and start using it effectively within a couple of minutes.

6. You can add local files (images, documents, etc...) but you need to pay for the service to use this feature

7. Can be used to an an organizational took

8. Changing Classroom Over Next 5 Years: I can see the online classroom changing over the next 5 years by including tools like mind maps much more often. This will be a response to the lack of activities and response you would usually get in a face to face classroom. By incorporating these tools for students to use, the teacher can get a faster understanding of each students understanding.

9. Can add comments and "Likes" and "Dislikes" similar to Facebook. Click on the green and grey icons on this bubble for an example.

10. Click the arrow icon in this bubble to use a link. This link takes you to the Mind Meister homepage.

11. Add completion, priority, assigned to, or due dates if using as a structured plan or flow chart. The blue 2 indicates this bubble is set to priority 2. The half filled box indicates this bubble is 50% done. The due date is at the bottom left, and this bubble is assigned to me. A summary of this is available from the checkmark in the upper right (Task Information).

12. Notes can be added to any bubble. Click the lines in the upper right to see a note.