Deb Norton Tech

Mind Map is a nice Chrome App that lets students EASILY create a mind map. To get the app, first visit the Chrome Web Store and search for MindMap . Because the developers have recently upgraded the app, you will want to click on the newest version, MindMap 2. Once the app is installed, you can easily create parent, child and sibling boxes.  Changing colors and adding text is simple.  There are a lot of choices with the simple tool bar. MindMap is simple and easy for students to use.  Here are some additional features that are really great! Extensions  Working in a collaborative mode would be very useful in the classroom. Sharing options Embedding the mindmap on a blog or website is a great option. Saving options The ability to save the mindmaps to Google Drive is a huge timesaver! Export options Download your map as an image or to the MindMaze website. I highly recommend giving the MindMap Chro...

Imagine you are brainstorming with your class about human body systems (this is our unit of study right now in science).  You have asked the students to list organs that go with the different body systems. As you brain storm you create an outline that looks like this one: Now for some fun.  You go to the web site Text 2 Mind Map and convert your outline into a web.  Now it looks like this: You were able to customize everything about your web.  You chose the colors, text, and even the line thickness.  Then you saved the web as a jpeg and downloaded it to your computer to use however you'd like. Now, wasn't that fun?  I highly recommend using Text 2 Mind Map with your students.  

Just recently I had my reading students use Bubbl.us to create a mindmap of a non-fiction text.  They did a really great job and totally enjoyed using Bubbl.us .  I had them set up their own account, which involved entering their email and creating a password (which I made for them).  There was no email verification needed. I was impressed with the newest features in Bubbl.us 2.0. My students were impressed with the ability to change bubble colors, as well as change text colors.  They also liked the easy click and drag options.  Connecting bubbles was also easy for them to get the hang of.  I explained parent, child and grandchild bubbles. Here is an example of a mindmap from one of my students.  To take a closer look, just click on the + and - .  Click on the background to move around. The only feature that we didn't use with Bubbl.us is the ability to collaborate and work together in real time.  In order for us to work with a pa...