The first software used is called 'Inspiration'.
If you are new to the world of software mind mapping then you will find it fantastic. That is because it really is.
I am familiar with a free online version called MindMeister, so with it in mind, I will analyse them both, and then compare and contrast the two.
Both are great for mind or concept mapping. Both are fairly easy to use. The above image is a piece of work from Inspiration. The use of this type of software in schools is an example of using ICT for Visualising. For more information on this refer to the DEECD webpage on this topic.
Inspiration would be my choice if I wanted more flexibility in my design. It enables a much wider choice in buttons, images, changing colors and backgrounds. Children often enjoy simply playing around with images and this software enables this.
One major problem is that this software costs money. Check out the DEECD website for costings. It does however have the support of the government education system already through a software toolbar called eduSTAR. I have seen this frequently on my practicum and during my fieldwork. By following this link you can see the range of software available through eduSTAR. Inspiration's inclusion in eduSTAR overcomes the cost problem in most schools.
Some of Inspirations other features include the ability to enable hyper-linking and the ability to include sound-bytes. Students cannot edit from home, however files can be exported to word easily once completed.
'Mindmeister' would be my choice if you simply want to mind map or brainstorm. It organises your thoughts quickly, easily, effectively. It's output is attractive. It's a sleek mind mapping machine. Its is free so students can continue their work from their home PC. It also overcomes any licensing concerns. Possibly the biggest plus is you can invite others to join online, you can edit away and the same time, chat in the chat box and do it from anywhere in the world. This is called ICT for Communication. Mind Meister thus incorporates both ICT for Visualising and ICT for Communication in the one tidy package. It is also flexible in its outputs and can generates PDF's or a variety of image files.
You can see a picture of my partner and I, mind mapping away for an assignment. You'll notice at the bottom left we have a chat open.
The practical difficulties you may need to consider include the need for the Internet connection, and the need for an email address to sign up, log-in and use. Internet connections are fallible and an electrical surge can have your internet down for weeks. If that is to deter you though, then most of today's software will. The need for students to have an individual email account may give you more pause. Perhaps just a quick query to the class to give a show of hands as to, who has an email account they can access from school, would be enough to highlight a possible issue. Solutions may include organising students to sign up for a free web-based email account. Due to the unsupervised content email can bring, it would be wise to send a permission slip to parents, waving you the teacher and the school from any liability. Anyway after all, everyone needs an email account this days. For more information on the ethical, legal and security issues associated with ICT then follow the link to the departments website.
Mindmeister vs. Inspiration at a glance
Mindmeister
Advantages: Better graphics, free, easy to use, can chat online and share work, more efficient brainstorming tool, students could use from home
Disadvantages: Requires email and Internet connection
Inspiration
Advantages: Greater flexibility, greater ability insert and manipulate graphics, sounds, colors etc.
Disadvantages: Costs money
Last of all a website Greg told us about. The place to buy educational software!
This is good to know as licensing is a major issue when integrating ICT. If you can save your school, or your classroom budget, or your own money then do it whenever you can.
The practical difficulties you may need to consider include the need for the Internet connection, and the need for an email address to sign up, log-in and use. Internet connections are fallible and an electrical surge can have your internet down for weeks. If that is to deter you though, then most of today's software will. The need for students to have an individual email account may give you more pause. Perhaps just a quick query to the class to give a show of hands as to, who has an email account they can access from school, would be enough to highlight a possible issue. Solutions may include organising students to sign up for a free web-based email account. Due to the unsupervised content email can bring, it would be wise to send a permission slip to parents, waving you the teacher and the school from any liability. Anyway after all, everyone needs an email account this days. For more information on the ethical, legal and security issues associated with ICT then follow the link to the departments website.
Mindmeister vs. Inspiration at a glance
Mindmeister
Advantages: Better graphics, free, easy to use, can chat online and share work, more efficient brainstorming tool, students could use from home
Disadvantages: Requires email and Internet connection
Inspiration
Advantages: Greater flexibility, greater ability insert and manipulate graphics, sounds, colors etc.
Disadvantages: Costs money
Last of all a website Greg told us about. The place to buy educational software!
This is good to know as licensing is a major issue when integrating ICT. If you can save your school, or your classroom budget, or your own money then do it whenever you can.
