Mind Mapping
From Learning and training wiki
![]() |
A learning methodology that consists of drawing diagrams to represent words, ideas, tasks, processes or other issues. It is a non-linear way of organizing information and a technique that allows to capture the natural flow of ideas about a central topic. Each idea or fact is written down and then linked by lines or curves to its major or minor (following or previous) idea or fact, thus creating a web of relationships. Its purpose is to focus attention, capturing and framing knowledge to facilitate the sharing of ideas and concepts.
Mind maps can be used to:
Originally mind maps were created on paper, normally spread over a wall where people could freely write down their ideas. Today there are several tools that allow the creation of electronic mind maps. They can be very helpful when one wants to modify an idea previously inserted or organize all the ideas in a different way or order. These electronic tools also allow that a group of people, working in different locations, contribute to the creation of mind map to address an issue of their interest. [1] |
![]() |
In the table below there is a list of mindmapping tools. All of them are free-sources. You will also find some basic information about them, like if they are downoladable or on-line application, what kind of features and which degree of freedom in constructing the map they offer. By clicking the visualization image you will be able to see a sample map. |
Tools | Type of Application | Special Features | Structure | Visualization |
---|---|---|---|---|
Freemind | To download
(1,51 KB) |
Link to files and web-sites | Ramification only horizontal. No freedom to change the structure. | |
CMAP Tools | To downlad
(1,62 KB) |
Link to files and web-sites | Free structure. Every arrow connecting two nodes is supposed to contain a label | |
Mindmeister | On-line. Two versions: Basic for free,
Premium to pay (4$ per month) |
Link to files and web-sites | Ramification only horizontal. No freedom to change the structure. | |
Bubbl.us | On-line | Link to web-sites, impossible to link files | Free structure | |
VUE | To download
(1,51 KB) |
Link to files and web-sites | Free structure. Possibility two add a label on the connection between two nodes. | |
Compendium | To download
(1,58 KB) |
Link to files and web-sites | Free structure. Every node has to belong to a cathegory (question, decision, argument, idea..) | |
Wisemapping | On-line | Link to web-sites, impossible to link files | Ramification only horizontal. No freedom to change the structure. | |
Mind42 | On-line | Link to web-sites, impossible to link files | Ramification only horizontal. No freedom to change the structure. |
References
- ↑ astd-cac.net (08 July 2008) Wikipedia(08 July 2008) www.mind-mapping.co.uk (08 July 2008), www.illumine.co.uk (08 July 2008), www.mindtools.com (08 July 2008), www.thinksmart.com (8 October 2008), www.businessdictionary.com (8 October 2008)