The
idea of using flowcharts and mind maps for educational uses makes sense. Education is certainly not static, so the
material that students and teachers use should not be either. Although the information on the printed page
is stationary, it does show the movement of ideas and concepts, as well as the
connections it takes to get from one area to another.
I started out exploring Gliffy, one
of the flowchart applications. At first glance,
it is very impressive. I clicked and
poked around, and as I did, I began to get more confused. There seemed to be too many options for a
person of my technological experience. There
were advanced features that I am sure are extremely helpful and necessary, but
this is something that I really do not need.
Just like my cell phone, it is more useful to me, if it is simple and
straightforward … which is exactly what I found in Mindmeister. This program really seemed to fit my
needs. It was easy to manipulate and
easy to follow. The page was clean and
inviting, and I did not have to hunt around for the things I wanted to apply to
my mind map.
I chose to build my mind map around
an assignment that I am working on for my SPED class. We have to select a learning disability,
research it and write a paper over it. I
selected Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder because I have a connection
to the disorder. I began my diagram with
the main topic in the middle. From
there, I worked my way out by creating additional bubbles with line-connections
back to the main topic. These
supplementary bubbles contained various sub-facets that are linked to
AD/HD. I could have applied even more offshoots
of those bubbles that are significant to just that particular bubble as
well. In a way, the mind map reminded me
of a standard outline. However, instead
of roman numerals, letters, and numbers going straight down the paper in a
boring manner, there are bubbles and lines that make the information more
visual and relatable. This version is so
much more inviting than the prior is. I
especially liked the extra features that you can use to enhance the mind
map. I used the image option to include a
picture/icon that compliments the information in the bubble. I could choose from the pictures that are in
the program, or I could select the ‘search online’ option for photos on the
web. It searched the web automatically
for me to find pictures that fit that particular phrase. How cool is that?! Except for looking though the pictures, I did
not have to do any of the legwork to actually look for them. There are more features like inserting links,
notes, and due dates that are also very helpful. I will certainly bookmark (now that I know
how to do that) the Mindmeister website for future use.
…
Actually, I will use it sooner than later because I need to create a new chore
chart for the kids. The old boring one
on the fridge just is not cutting it anymore.
Maybe if I create a dazzling one from Mindmeister, the kids might
finally complete their chores on time …
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