We probably have a pretty good idea of how to help our students or fellow staff utilize brainstorming techniques, but have you considered helping them create mind maps (sometimes referred to as concept maps, too) of new concepts being introduced in class? For instance, in our Pagan & Religious Holidays 101 course, as we introduced Christmas, what relationship does it have to All Saints Eve? How does it connect to holidays that share both pagan and religious roots? How does it connect to holidays with a central (or two) male figure? Helping students tie new information to content they've already mastered has ties to constructivist learning theories.
Here's my mind map of ME (created on Bubbl.us and exported as an image):
- Go to bubbl.us and click "Start Brainstorming"
- Put your mouse over the "start here' bubble that appears. If you click the words (Start Here), you'll be able to edit them. With your mouse held over the bubble, you can get tool tips for each of the options in the bubble (for instance, to add a child-bubble, use the icon in the middle on the bottom - the tool tip says "Child Bubble: create new child bubble).
- A free account will allow you to share your bubble with other collaborators, save it online for future additions, or get an embed code
- Without an account, you can export your work as an image. There is a small "Menu" button in the lower-right hand corner. Export as .jpg or .png to suite your needs.
This is pretty user friendly...although much like creating org charts in PPT. It certainly will be a thought I keep in mind when doing any documents that can be more visual in assembling facts rather than standard lists.
ReplyDeleteI am preparing for Spring Training with our student staff. I love how you described yourself in a "bubble." This may be a great icebreaker or team building exercise for students.
ReplyDeleteNeat site. Perfect for brainstorming without wasting paper or ink! :)
ReplyDeletenot sure how much I would use this in my classes
ReplyDeleteI really like how flexible this website seems. Sometimes PPT and word charts are too rigid to get exactly what I picture in my head. Thanks for showing this to us!
ReplyDeleteApparently, my mind doesn't work this way.
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea. But I think I will stick to my paper and pencil. I think I can get more done much faster using "old technology".
ReplyDeleteFor personal brainstorming I'm a fan of paper and pencil myself. But, to share an idea with a group this looks more professional and is easy to use. It could also be useful in group brainstorming, if more than one person can edit it.
ReplyDeleteI know that Steve uses this idea to make topic connections in his gen chem class. I have used it on the chalk board for complicated subjects to show relatedness of biochemical pathways. It sure is much neater than my scribbles!
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued by this, particularly in being able to save and modify the maps. I can see using it to encourage my students in research or seminar to organize their thoughts before writing. Or maybe to help myself wrap my brain around years of research data!
ReplyDeleteThis could be a handy tool in and out of the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI like bubbl.us. I think it could be helpful in many ways both for myself and my kids with their school work.
ReplyDeleteWhile intriguing, this site is not of use to me. I can see how it would be very useful in a classroom setting, though, trying to engage all of the learners in a class.
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