[Yr7-10it] Fwd: Free mind mapping software

Sat Mar 7 13:57:34 EST 2009

> From:   Jonathan NALDER <jnald2 at eq.edu.au> 
> To Professional community for teachers <oz-teachers at rite.ed.qut.edu.au>
> Date:   Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:52:47 +1000
> Subject:   Re: [Oz-teachers] Free Mind mapping software. 

Hi Chris, I must say I concur with much of what (oz-teachers) have 
already advised - just wanted to add my own thoughts as I've recently 
done a review of a few mindmapping options as part of an article for 
PAYME. Here's just a summary of my conclusions below, (from my blog here) 

http://ulearning.edublogs.org/2009/02/09/digital-mindmapping-tools-my-
choices-for-connected-visual-organiserspresenting/

An even more recent find that I'm now using as it does have many more 
visual options is www.lovelycharts.com .

-------------------------------------------------------------

I’ve had loads of fun lately I must admit just trying out mindmapping/ 
visual organiser software. So much so that I’ve started incorportating 
them into my workflows both at school and home/study, and have even 
written a 2000 word article describing my journey. While its under review 
for possible publication old-printed-style, I wanted to at least post my 
conclusions/choices here. That way you can cut right to the chase and 
start downloading!

I’ve grouped my findings under ‘for students’, ‘for educators’, and ‘for 
advanced users’. Enjoy:

I aim in this section to overview what I concluded was best for use in my 
school, using these handles:

•                Free, or at least has a free ‘lite’ version
•                Easy to access, use and install - conditions that are
                 vital for time poor, technician-starved teachers
•                A good import/export capability - after all the point
                 was to share maps

For Students - while today’s students undoubtedly could master any of the 
software I encountered, the one I ultimately settled on for working with 
them was the simplest. Bubbl.us (also its web address) was suggested by a 
discussion list colleague. It creates basic but good-looking maps, allows 
links and attachments, but best of all, is available anywhere there is a 
net connection (works exclusively online) and requires no registration or 
setup - teachers can just send students to the webpage and off they go. 
Students can get on with learning. Your maps can even be embedded into 
other websites. (Please note that bubbl.us does have a quick email signup 
to enable a few more advanced features if you so wish).

For Teachers - using digital visual organisers for your own planning and 
teaching probably requires software that will work when offline also - so 
for this category the one I chose was the free version of Xmind. Still 
fully-featured (it was a paid version until recently), it really jumped 
ahead of the others I was considering due to the fact that it works on 
PCs and Macs, AND has a special version for running exclusively from USB 
flash drives. I’ve now gone on to use this with our Head of Curriculum 
and Admin team to demonstrate what’s possible - and they were impressed, 
not just with the flash-looking end product, but with how powerful it 
could be for giving presentations to staff.

For advanced Users: That covers software for students, and for 
teachers/administrators who are new to digital mind mapping. However, 
beyond these tools there are some even more capable options that also 
plug into the possibilities of Web2.0 and the power of online/offline 
syncing. In this category, recommended for ‘power users’, or just any 
user that can count on regular internet connections and doesn’t mind 
registering for the (free) service - my choice was ‘Mindomo’. This was 
one that had been suggested through my learning network and I immediately 
found it very impressive. Not only was its import/export and graphical 
options very well presented, but it has a stunning ability work offline 
(using the Adobe ‘Air’ plug-in) while allowing you to use its extra 
sharing and collaboration features when you are online. Kind of like a 
combination of bubbl.us and Xmind actually!

----- Original Message -----

From: John Goldsmith <jdg at ponymail.com>
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009 11:45 am
Subject: Re: [Oz-teachers] Free Mind mapping software.
To: Professional community for teachers <oz-teachers at rite.ed.qut.edu.au>

> Hi Chris,
> 
> Here are a few free web based Mind Mapping programs I've 
> collected over time.
> 
> http://www.detools.ca/?tag=mind-map
> 
> I hope this helps.
> 
> 
> John Goldsmith
> Fraser Valley Distance Education School
> 49520 Prairie Central Road,
> Chilliwack, B.C.  V2P 6H3
> Tel: (604) 794-7310, Loc 2459
> Fax: (604) 795-8480
> Email: cyberjohn at detools.ca
> Blog: http://www.detools.ca
> 
> The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those
> who have not got it. - George Bernard Shaw
> 
> 
> On 5-Mar-09, at 12:49 AM, chris blackham-davison wrote:
> 
> > Hello everyone
> >
> > I wonder if someone can suggest a mind mapping software that 
> > is  available through open source.  I am thinking of something like  
> > kidspiration or inspiration but the school dont have the money to  
> > purchase the software.
> >
> > Any suggestion would be appricated.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Chris BD
> > Alawa Primary School.
> > NT
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>
Jonathan Nalder
 - Learning Intervention & ICTs in Learning Support Teacher, 
 Tullawong State School 
 W: 0754314666 M: 0410394768 E: jnald2 at eq.edu.au

- Masters, Learning Innovation (QUT 2008) 
- Accredited 'Thinking Digitally' Facilitator, Learning Innovation
  Centre, Sunshine Coast Region.
- Member, Digital Content Crew, Smart Classrooms 
- Over-enthusiastic Mobile Learning Educator- www.mLearnxyz.net  
- ICT Pedagogical Licence Holder

--

Cheers people
Stephen Loosley
Victoria Australia