Mindmapping for understanding

We know that not all students learn the same way.  We also know that many need to ‘see’ concepts visually to understand connections and how components interrelate with one another. We also know that the more experiences students have with manipulating data and applying that information the more they will truly understand and be able to transfer that learning to new situations.

Creating visuals, such as mindmaps, concept maps or graphic organizers can open up learning to many students who would otherwise not be able to understand. Also, now with free web 2.0 mindmapping tools you can have students collaborate on maps. My favorite online mindmaps are Mind42, bubbl.us, and mindmeister. You can see an example of my Web 2.0 Tools mindmap using mind42 here. I created this mindmap so that I could organize my notes about web 2.0 tools that I have explored.

Other great tools for creating maps are Inspiration and Kidspiration. These great visual thinking softwares let students create graphic representations of any topic they are learning about. In the next couple of weeks I’m working with a 4th grade classroom where we will be creating graphic organizers showing animal habitats, adaptations, and how humans impact animals.

There are a lot of ways students can use mindmaps, or other visual representations, to increase learning. Here are some resources that can help you get started:

100 reasons to mindmap great blog by Paul Foreman

Mindmapping: Helping Students Fine Tune Studies A great article on mindmapping, including other resources and tools.

Interactive Graphic Organizers and more! This website has great resources on mindmapping, concept mapping, graphic organizers and more.

Mindmap and Concept Map Resources This site has tons of resources on creating mindmaps and graphic organizers.

A mindmap of mindmapping software/tools

Mindmapping Software for teachers Good list of web 2.0 tools/software for teachers.

Mindmaps: A powerful approach to notetaking

More posts featuring Mindmapping:

Brainstorming Digitalized

Notetaking…digitally

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