Mind Mapping Tools

Not everyone learns the same way, some students are visual learner so if you're looking for a tool for organizing ideas, the following mind mapping tools might prove helpful. Mind maps are not only tools for visual learning, they will let your students organize their thoughts especially when asked to write about a topic. Sometimes it is easier for students to write if they write the words that come into their head first, as they stare at them, and organize them, they are able to think of more offshoot connections. Seeing how things are being sorted, makes it easier for them to later turn their ideas into a well structured composition.

Exploratree is a web-based application that allows the user to create mind maps of concepts, or simply to organize one's thoughts in a visual manner. The site is completely free and has a variety of pre-designed formats to choose from, or you can build your own from scratch. There is a method for uploading images from your own computer as well as the basic shapes that are provided. It also has the ability to create stages in the mindmap.

 

Bubbl.us is a simple and free web application that lets you brainstorm online. It lets your students create colorful minds maps online without even registering for an account. They can also share their maps with friends, embed their mind map in their student blog or e-mail or print their mind map. They can even save their mind map as an image.

If  you don't mind installing software the following are worth a try.

Mindomo - Online Mind Mapping and Brainstorming Software for collaborating on ideas and projects. Mind Map your goals and objectives

FreeMind - is a premier free mind-mapping software written in Java.

Edraw Mind Map creates mind maps for brain-storming, problem solving, rational analysis, and decision making easily.