Thanks to all our colleagues that contributed to the activity and the discussion that has led to the market research for this educational venture. Below is a summary of all your contributions that we added to our presentation. Thanks again for a wonderful week! Our final version of the presentation can be viewed at […]
Continue reading Roundup for Week 9 Visual-Intensive Learning Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Visual Intensive learning is a part of my every day lessons in teaching K-12. Mind maps are great tools and I try to use lots of different colours and photos when presenting my mind map for a lesson. It allows for a greater understanding of the diagram with the age learners I deal with. […]
Continue reading Mind Maps Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hello Group 9. Well done this week. As for me, a great mind map is full of colour and has to be fun. Also, once it starts to look too technical with too much information I lose interest right away. I would rather see more mind maps with less items than one that has too many. […]
Continue reading Great mind maps Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hi all, Thanks to this weeks group, I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes a good mind map this week. For me, I think the answer to what makes a good mind map, is that I make it myself. Mind maps are a way of learning, problem solving and exploring ideas. For me, when […]
Continue reading Good Mind Maps Posted in: Uncategorized, Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Thank you to everyone in the Visual Intensive Learning group for a thorough overview of concept mapping! I first encountered mind mapping in my teacher training seminar several years ago and could not really understand the advantage, since the idea seemed a bit unruly for me. Having used them more recently, though, I’m appreciating them […]
Continue reading Mind Maps Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
HI there. Sorry about the late post, but I’ve been away all week in Vegas… I’ve been using mind maps in the classroom for as long as I can recall. I find them a very useful activity at a variety of points along the learning process. I’ve used them to activate prior knowledge, to acquire […]
Continue reading Mind Maps Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hi there! I originally posted this entry as a comment, but it’s been pending approval, and I don’t know how long it’s going to take for it to show up. So, unfortunately, this post will show up twice on this blog. I’ve come to post an answer to one of Week 9’s discussion questions: “What […]
Continue reading What’s a good mind map? Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hi Danielle,
Thank you for the very interesting sites on map shock and graphic design. I had never heard of the term “map shock” but I have surely experienced it in a number of cases 🙂
While I can see how the ideas flow and sometimes it’s a challenge to stop the process, I agree with your description of a good as being able to interpret with “relative ease” and “clear links between ideas”.
Thanks.
Leonora
I have used mind mapping software (Bubbl and Spicy Nodes in particular) in my classroom with varying levels of success in the past. Mind mapping in general is something that I feel has a great deal of value as it allows students to personalize their learning and how they chose to both organize and express their […]
Continue reading Mind Mapping Technology Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hi Meggan,
Thanks for sharing the software tools! Spicy Nodes creates beatiful maps that are easy to navigate and allow the user to focus on sections. However, it’s difficult to create maps because the editing and visualising parts are separate. Bubbl is much easier to use, although it creates a less interactive product. Given that its purpose is note-taking during brainstorms, I’d say it does its job well. I like that additional subordinate bubbles change colour automatically, and match the original bubble, even if you change the colour.
Anyway, in a time when technology is changing so fast and teachers have little time, it seems that the software programs that will succeed are the ones that are versatile and easy to use. If I can’t get a program to do simple things in five minutes and think of several uses for it, I cross it off my list and move on.
Hello folks! Well, it has been a week filled with lots of thought provoking discourse regarding the uses of mapping within both educational and business settings. Some of you have attempted to use the Cacoo software and have developed the strengths and weaknesses of mind mapping; well done! At this point in the week, I […]
Continue reading Using Mapping Software Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Prior to visiting the Visual Intensive Learning wiki, I considered mind maps a way for individuals rather than groups to organize information. I appreciate that a mind map can provide a quick indication of how well a concept and its relationship to other concepts have been understood. It can also encourage learning at a deeper […]
Continue reading Reflecting on Mind Maps Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hi Claire,
I agree! Although I have used mind maps quite a bit in class, I had used them in a fairly limited way. I had not even considered many of the uses presented to us this week, nor the variety of styles, interpretations and types of mind maps. This week’s presentation certainly gave me lots to think about.
Janet
What a great tool. I have always thought that mind maps are a great way for students to develop and link key concepts and help them think creatively. I often have my students create mind maps to help them brainstorm; however, I have never thought of or tried collaborative mind maps. I think I will […]
Continue reading Mind Maps Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hi Greg,
We find Cacoo is a good tool, free, collaborative, but it has problems like editting confliction in some cases. As collaborative mind mapping has become a real trend, there are many tools (free or not) available to support you requirement. You may want to take a look at our “EVA” page to find more information about this. And there are more in:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concept_mapping_and_mind_mapping_software
Best wishes for your marketing brainstorm!
Ping
As Tim commented in his post, this is the first time that I have seen mind maps used as a teaching tool rather than as a learning tool (although I realize the two things are linked!). Great job, Week 9 Group, for using your topic to present your topic! It was very innovative and interesting. […]
Continue reading The Pros and Cons of Mind Mapping Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hi Janet,
Thank you for sharing this insight of mind mapping with us! Your points of Pros and Cons are very conclusive. For that point of “(mind map) does not assess details nor student ability to implement concepts”, I think we could use layered hierarchical mind mapping, i.e. to allow concepts in a mind map to encapsulate sub-maps, with easy hide & show options. That could give spaces for students to attach details they know to fulfil the assessment. Do you think it’s feasible?
Ping
Hi Ping,
I think it is feasible, but not necessarily the best approach in all situations. For example, if a teacher was using problem-based learning, a mind map might help a student tie the elements of the problem and solution together, and be used for assessment along the way, but the solution to the problem would be the final assessment.
I think mind maps can be extremely valuable tools, and can be used for assessment, but that doesn’t make them the best option for assessment in all situations, nor do they need to be. A screwdriver is an excellent tool for removing a screw, but not the tool of choice for hammering in a nail (although the butt end could probably be used in a pinch).
Having said that, though, I have realized this week how much more there is to mind maps than I had previously considered. So I might be totally missing the boat on the assessment aspect, too 🙂 I guess I am just trying to say that SOME kinds of assessment might be tricky with mind maps, but that doesn’t make them less valuable in general.
Hope that makes sense,
Janet
Thank you for the introduction to this new tool. As I said before I have used concept maps for brainstorming sessions, pre assessment and exit cards. This particular application would be too difficult in my own context however tools such as spiderscribe(online) and kidspiration are student friendly and helpful for grade 3 students. With the […]
Continue reading Reflections on mind mapping Posted in: Uncategorized, Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Thank you, I enjoyed reading the material and collaborating on cacoo. This led to explore further. We were using terms such as mind maps and concept maps interchangeably, and I started to wonder what the difference was. I really liked the inspiration site that described some of the different visualisation formats and differentiated betwen mind […]
Continue reading Mind maps versus concepts maps Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hi Denise,
These are great references! It’s always good to learn how to best use communication techniques.
To address your point about the learning styles, I found an article that said the same about visual and auditory learners. There was no link between the preferred learning style and outcomes.
The author also stated that, “The data suggest that giving students the option to choose their favorite format can even be counterproductive because it might lead them to selecting a format that is less effective for learning.”
Until we know more, I guess we should use a variety of communication techniques, try to get our students to develop their different learning styles with listening or visulaisation techniques, and give them ample practice using techniques like diagrams and maps.
Kollöffel, B. (2012). Exploring the relation between visualizer–verbalizer cognitive styles and performance with visual or verbal learning material. Computers & Education, 58, 697–706
doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2011.09.016
HI Danielle,
Thanks for this article. Is an interesting read.
I agree with you, we often think we use different learning techniques to match diffferent learners learning styles, but equally we are giving them the opportunity to use and be challenged by learning techniques that aren’t their preferred style. Both support learning.
Hi Denise,
While it took me a few years to recognize the value of mapping tools and organization (I had a teacher in university who swore by mind map notes, and I just couldn’t understand how the ‘messy’ layout could be helpful), I’ve recently developed an interest and affinity with them as a way of organizing my thoughts and sharing them with others.
It’s impressive (and encouraging) that creating concept maps could be beneficial for all types of learners. Perhaps just the thought process behind mapping out ideas solidifies understanding and promotes effective research skills?
Personally, since mind maps are such an individual and personal learning tool, it is hard for me to share my maps with others without the urge to make it so specific; it takes away from the organization and clarity of the actual map. I use to feel that, when creating a mind map, someone should […]
Continue reading C-Map Reflections Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Kenton: I do believe that the perception of mapping ideas definitely is evolving a with the open source movement. You mention how your perception is also changing and this could be because of the uses of both concept maps and mind maps. Both applications technically do differ however in most cases individuals dictate the structure of the map. For some reason I am unable to hyperlink at this moment but here is a link that provides additional information: http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/concept-maps-vs-mind-maps/
Thanks for your comments!
Dani
The use of concept maps in the MET has helped me to not only understand concepts learned throughout the program but has also help me to develop my personal theory of learning. The knowledge that I have built throughout the program has been made meaningful through connections to previous knowledge, previous experiences, and within the […]
Continue reading CMAP Reflections Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
You made great connections between learning theory and the v isual learning tool, Danielle! Now that you were able to reflect on mind maps and the process of creating them, would you personally use such?
Dani
Hi Dani,
Yes! I certainly do! I am currently using VUE to draft my ePortfolio for ETEC 590 and I am not sure how the process would be possible without it. It is an invaluable tool. I find it interesting that concept mapping has been around for so long but it is only now playing an important role in my own learning (in my 4 degree!). I have not used Cacoo before so I really appreciated the opportunity to use it this week. Many thanks!
Danielle
Hello, Thank you for the fabulous and detailed presentation group 9! As I went through your presentation and reflected on what I have learned this week, here are my thoughts. As we learn, we have a good sense of the ideas and concepts that we encounter. I think mind mapping allows us to reflect this […]
Continue reading Reflection on Mind Maps Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hi Karon,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I do agree that simple mind maps that fit on one page tend to be easier to read. Do you think there’s a difference between who is reading the map? That is, if the author is reading the map versus an outsider. Would that affect the level of complexity that one can include? Along the same path, do you think this effectiveness issue that you have identify could lead to some new venture opportunity in the world of mind mapping?
Cheers,
Sherman
Hi Sherman,
I think that it would always be easier for the author to read the mind map that they created over an outsider especially if it was a complex map that was not organized well. However, if the map was well-organized then the visual representations would benefit to the human’s visual processor as it makes visualizing and understanding large amounts of information easier for the reader and the reader can read the information as a whole rather than trying to link pieces of information from the mind map to make sense of what is being presented to them. Perhaps, mind mapping tools can incorporate a way to better present visual information, many of them right now actually allows you to hide the information bubbles and hover over it to review the detail so that the map wouldn’t be over cluttered and would be more organized, I think something a long that line would benefit the world of mind mapping.
Karon
First off, thank you to the group for putting together a great presentation. I throughly enjoyed the readings and the activities that were selected. Concept Mapping in the classroom definitely has a purpose for all types of learners, but I believe that in order for this tool to be utilized to its full potential, students still should understand what it […]
Continue reading Concept Mapping and Education Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hi Jon,
I have also enjoyed this week’s presentation! The concept maps are phenomenal!
I think you make an excellent point about the need for our learners to be able to take notes effectively. I find that my students have their own individual style of notetaking and the style will vary depending on whether learners are visual, verbal, aural, logical, physical, etc. Their learning style will also determine whether they are social learners with a tendency to collaborate with learning technologies such as cmaps or whether they are more solitary learners with a tendency to figure things out on their own. Perhaps our job is to simply help them figure out what works best for them!
Danielle
Jon: I appreciate that point that you made with regards to access to technology. Perhaps one could include it at a potential “Pain Point”. Therefore I propose that the teacher could use such a tool to accommodate the visual learners during class-wide brainstorming activities. An open-source program that includes outline views as well to help to scaffold students throughout the process. Ultimately as you said, another tool to add to their learning utility belts!
Dani
Thank you group 9 for helping me think more deeply about the impact of visuals and the role of mind mapping in the learning process. Giving us the opportunity to experience collaboration in an online mind map was a great idea! I’ve used mind mapping in my Humanities courses to help student develop their ideas […]
Continue reading Reflection on online mindmapping Posted in: Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Hi Chelsea,
You commented that mind maps leave “… room for thougths to arrive ‘out of order'”. I have had students in the past who think incredibly randomly and mind maps have been very valuable to them. They jot their thoughts down as they come and then find the links after – or identify the thoughts that didn’t belong – without having to worry about sequence. Because I teach math and “sequence” is seen as very important, concept maps have freed these students to find the sequence their own way.
For other students who really need to see the big picture, mind maps have provided that opportunity and they were able to rise above the details and algorithms that math is famous for and see the meaning behind it all. Once they saw the connections, they could engage in the details because they weren’t isolated and meaningless anymore.
Other students who really struggle with the big picture find the details and sequencing helpful as it gives them a place to start and a path to follow. I think mind maps can help them, too, because seeing the big picture is important, but I do wonder if mind maps are more important to some learning styles than others.
Janet
Hi Janet,
I really enjoyed your description of your students using mind maps to see “the big picuture” and “the sequence”. They are such helpful tools. You must have deep understanding for mind mapping, as you can see the values it may help different learners. I’m really curious about how you teach math with mind maps, how to visualize the abstract concepts & connections behind numbers.
Thanks for sharing these. You really extend my understanding of mind maps.
Ping
Hi Chelsea,
Our group also experienced the frustruation when making our presentation in Cacoo. Sometimes we conflicted in editing, sometimes we lost edited information. Thinking this is the best FREE tool we can find with online collaboration function, we can see the space for new ventures to bring us better mind mapping tools to meet the increasing demand.
Ping
It’s interesting to see such a variety of applications of mind/concept mapping. I have used mind mapping in problem-based learning where learners are presented with a scenario from the workplace and they have to resolve a communication problem. As pointed out in previous posts, mind mapping can be an effective tool to teach and reinforce concepts […]
Continue reading Using mind mapping in the classroom Posted in: Uncategorized, Week 09: Visual-Intensive Learning
Thanks for your input, Leonora! I too think it is crucial to include a reflective piece as a means of summary so that all learners use the visual learning artifact as a means to expand upon and develop their knowledge base. If one was to use the tool only as a means of idea generation then the deep thinking and reasoning potential would be lost.
Dani
Before you publish your posting, please make sure that you select a category (eg. Introductions) as well as assign some meaningful tags (keywords).
Hussain Luaibi 4:25 pm on July 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hello Donna
Thanks for the note. I think one of the important aspects of Mind mapping is that its structure varies according to what and how the user looks at things. It does reflect a personal point of view when it comes to reflecting one’s mind map. Sometimes I feel that that mind mapping is like writing a poem, readers can, in away, understand or try to understand its meaning but the real mean lurks in the heart of the poet. But again this kind of speculation depends upon how clear and informative the the technique used in the mind mapping process.
Hussain