Mind Mapping Tools for Teachers and Students

I was contemplating this post and then across Twitter came 4 Ways to Enhance Your Teaching With Mind Mapping and figured that it was a sign to share several of the different Mind Mapping tools that are available for free on the web.  As teachers and all that we have to keep up with on a daily basis, mind mapping is a great way to stay organized.  For our students mind mapping provides students a way to show how aspects of content are connected.  Below are several options for mind mapping tools.

Bubbl.us is a simple option for creating mind maps that doesn't require any sign up to immediately be able to use.  Creating an account does allow you to save the mind maps that you create.  You can change colors, sizes, fonts and other features of your mind maps.  Worth checking out for a quick creation of things you are wanting to organize that are on your mind.










Exobrain a free mind mapping tool that assists users in visualizing thoughts and find connections.  Editing and changing the mind map is very simple and allows for easy organization.  You do have to create an account to use the service and all you need is a name, email, and password.  Your mind map is in the cloud and therefore always accessible. 

My Simple Surface provides users the ability to zoom in and out on your mind map or list.  The services allows users not only mind mapping ability but also the ability to create outline formats.  NO sign up is needed to use the service, but an account does allow the saving of work.

MindMeister is a simple mind mapping tool that allows users to try in a demo and create a free account to save and store mind maps.  MindMeister is also available as an app on Apple and Android devices.  Users can upload images and icons with multiple colors to help organize different categories. 

LucidChart is another option in providing diagramming and organization options for educators.  This is a pay service, but by using an education based email, teachers can get free accounts through the 2013-2014 school year.   LucidChart integrates instantly with Google Drive and with Google Apps.  There is nothing to install and work is stored in the cloud.  Any browser is compatible with LucidChart and there are also collaboration features as well. 

SpiderScribe is another option, although limited with a free account.  Users get unlimited public maps, but are limited to the amount of files and image space for those maps.  Users can upload images and other files to the mind map as well as share and collaborate.  Users can also embed them into a website or blog and an auto-align feature is nice for those of us that prefer neatly placed parts of a mind map.

Mind42 provides user a free, fast, and simple alternative for creating mind maps on the web and in the cloud.  Username, Email, and Password is all a user needs to access this service.  There are several options for users in creating their mind maps and many are universal to other apps.  Hyperlinks, images, icons, colors, etc are all available to use. 

Gliffy is an option as well that is available for Google Apps, in the cloud online for free (5 diagrams) and available as an add on for Microsoft Word.  No sign up is required to utilize the service, but an account is required to save.  Users can choose from various templates as starting points for creating a mind map.  There are several aspects to Gliffy for creating professional looking mind maps.  Definitely an app for an advanced user and someone who is willing to spend more time working on their diagram.

Glinkr allows users to try it out in a "sandbox" mode prior to registering to user the product completely.  There is also a browse option for finding mind maps create for public examination.  Tags for each mind map can also be done, making organization of a users mind maps more beneficial.  What makes Glinkr different is for each part of a mind map, users can have a pop-up text box that provides more information. 

Text 2 Mind Map has no sign up required and a simple indented formula tool makes this the easiest mind mapping tool to use.  You type in the information, choose the color scheme and then it will draw your map which you can organize and share in a format that meets the needs of the viewer.  Locking allows users to easily keep parts organized as well.  If looking for a fast and simple mind map, this is your tool.  Easily share or download the mind map upon completion as well. 

If looking to browse for some mind maps, then the Mappio; The Mind Map Library allows users to find previously created maps that might meet your needs.  If looking for paper version of mind maps, then Exploratree is a valuable option as well for mind maps, graphic organizers, and other diagrams.  By creating an account users can customize and edit templates already created to meet the needs of the content being covered. 

10 QR Code Ideas

A QR Code or Quick Response Code is a method of easily sharing various information with people through the use of a QR Code Reader.  Using a Tablet or Phone camera, users scan a QR code and it will send users to a URL address that it is linked too.  There are several options for creating codes and reading codes.  I currently use the Kaywa Reader which has a QR Code Generator and a Reader App for both Apple devices and Android devices.  Below is an infographic that provides the history and statistics for QR Codes (Click to Enlarge)

Now that you have a Generator, Reader, and some background knowledge at your disposal, how can you use this service in your classroom?  When you create a QR Code you will need to copy and paste it to whatever you will be sharing with your students.  Below are some ideas.

1.) Create a "QR Code Corner" in your classroom and use this area to have QR Codes that lead to weekly or daily assignments that you post on the web or it could link to interesting facts, videos, stories, etc that you think students would be interested in.

2.) Place a QR Code on assignments that will lead students to websites that will provide further assistance or more information about a homework assignment that students will be working on.

3.) Place a QR Code on notes home to parents that will link to a webpage or classroom newsletter that will have more information for the parents.

4.) You can use a service like Tag My Doc that creates an add on for Microsoft products to automatically add a QR Code to your documents and make sharing those documents with students even easier.

5.) On an assignment, provide QR Codes that link to resources for students to confirm their answers.  Provide an amount of time for students to work on the assignment and then an amount of time to discover the answers.

6.) Print out QR codes for content related to information in a textbook, magazine, or book the students are reading.  Pass out the QR code and as students read the text, the QR code will take them to a supplemental video, article, picture that can be discussed.

7.) Gallery Walk is a teaching strategy that teachers can use to teach a desired content.  Use the strategy with QR codes for students to access the questions related to the activity. 

8.) When students are working on a project, require students to use QR Codes as a way to supplement the information in their presentation and then share the QR Codes with the classroom.  If students are using a web-based program to complete the project, create a "Project QR Code Handout" that has QR Codes for the students projects that can be handed out to the students.

9.) Create a QR Code Dictionary for critical vocabulary that students are doing in the classroom.  The QR Code will take students to the definition, examples, images, synonyms, etc.

10.) Place QR Codes all around a physical model (especially for science teachers) and each QR Code will take students to an explanation of the area.

For more information and ways to use QR Codes, check out the QR Codes in Education LiveBinder

Here is the QR Code for this Blog Post.

FREE SlideRocket EDU Accounts

If looking for an alternative presentation tool, Slide Rocket is an option.  Currently, as part of a "New Year's Resolution," the service is providing free full featured accounts for students, teachers, and other educators.  All you need to do is use your school email address and you can sign up HERE.

Slide Rocket has also partnered with Google Apps for Education and you can get the free account through them as well.  Google Chrome Web Store and Google Apps for Education are the two options.

10 Reasons to Love SlideRocket EDU in 2013

1. SlideRocket is a fun, interactive way to create and share presentations
2. Access your account from any computer, anywhere
3. Post presentations on blogs and websites
4. Share presentations with the world on Facebook and Twitter
5. Groups and teams can work together on the same presentation
6. Add videos, music and voice-overs to your presentation
7. Create cool animations and transitions
8. Store your photos and presentations in our library so others can use them too
9. Add live Twitter feeds, polls and other interactive content to your slides
10. View presentations with any browser, iPhone and iPad

It's Doodle 4 Google Time

I have always been a big fan of the Doodle 4 Google contest because it helps bring Art to the digital landscape.  I share it with the Art teacher at my school every year and he has had some good entries in the past; I am hoping that can continue.  This years theme focuses on students dreaming big.  Google is asking students to draw a Doodle that would answer the question "My Best Day Ever."

The winner of the contest will see their Doodle appear on the Google homepage, receive a $30,000 scholarship, and help their school receive $50,000 for a technology grant.  There are smaller regional prizes as well.  You can learn more about the judging and prizes HERE.  Voting will open for the 50 state winners on May 1st.  All state winners will also have their artwork.  Here is a video about this years contest.


Google has provided some some resources for educators that can be used to provide information to your students and parents.  Also a poster to advertise the contest in your classroom and school.  The History of the Doodles is also an interesting read to learn about how this contest came about and the Doodles themselves and how the general public can submit Doodles outside of this contest.  There is even a way to see all the Doodles from the past. 

Wallwisher Gets Another Makeover

So just the other day I wrote a post about the upgrade and new look of Wallwisher.  Apparently I should have waited a few days because today, Wallwisher announced some awesome new features.  The first new features is a new formatting toolbar.  Users will now have the ability to make paragraphs, bold, italics, bullet, quote, etc.  See the new toolbar below.

However, that is not the most important improvement.  Wallwisher now offers LaTeX, which is a mathematical function for creating math text formatting.  This could be extremely useful for math teachers wanting to integrate Wallwisher into their classroom.  See sample below.

Other features include posts not restricting their size to a certain width, so typing can happen till you decide to go to the next line and then you can resize your text area.  The quotes also indent and italicize for users as well.  HTML can also be pasted and got some upgrades as well.

Worth checking out if you have not already.