Tool Reviews
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Overview
MINDMEISTER OVERVIEW (3:24)
Description
MindMeister is a cloud-based mind mapping tool where users can create and share their ideas in a visual way. The platform is customizable in nature and allows for multimedia attachments and group collaboration and shareability. Features of this tool are the ability to have multiple contributors, import attachments, graphics, images and links, export into workable PowerPoint or word documents and customize formats and themes.
Justification for Using this Tool
MindMeister is most effective when used for collaboration, brainstorming and presenting ideas and concepts. This tool offers dynamic presentation capabilities where supportive content can be linked to ideas and maps can be turned into engaging presentations. Each idea carries the capability to have media files attached to support learning content and develop metacognition, critical and creative thinking skills. These three main bodies of thinking skills development are led by a whole task approach where complex learning can happen through the exploration of individual learning components (Clark, R. C., & Mayer, R. E., 2016).
- Collaboration allows students to critically and creatively assess tasks and develop content.
- Mind maps work to create relationship between topics.
- Whole task approach allows students to explore each individual topic for a richer understanding of subject matter.
Mind Meister relies heavily on the connectivity and collaboration theories by allowing the opportunity for multiple users to share information through the use of technology. Within the Connectivity theory, learning happens over online networks (Learning Theories, 2017). This tool functions on a web-based platform where multiple users can revise, edit, upload, share and present content allowing for learning to happen in a social connectivism manor. This tool is offered in a user-friendly standard web-browser, on Chromebooks, iOS and Android devices.
- Network connections allow for easy use of MindMeister, and connectivism links student ideas and knowledge together into one shareable domain.
- Using this collaboration tool, students are able to socially share their expertise on the subject matter and learn from each others contributions. Easy functions such as comments, chats and voting, make this professional tool a social learning platform.
Strategies for Use
Strategy 1 – Media Features
MINDMIESTER MEDIA FEATURES (1:46)
MindMeister is an excellent tool to add notes, media, links and image content to ideas and concepts. Each new component can have media attached to it where further exploration and detail of the idea can be shared.
Strategy 2 – Presenting Features
MINDMEISTER PRESENTING FEATURES (3:19)
MindMeister can be used for seamless presentations. Content and ideas can be shared collaboratively and then seemly transitioned into a PowerPoint presentation.
Strategy 3 – Collaboration
MINDMEISTER COLLABORATION FEATURE (1:50)
MindMeister is a great way for groups to work together on ideas and concepts by brainstorming and exploring content.
Helpful Resources
Resource 1 – Getting Started with MindMeister
This tutorial and instructional video offers an easy to follow overview of the main features of MindMeister, it offers editing tips and tricks and an overview of how to add media content into the mind map.
Resource 2 – How to Create a Presentation in Minutes with MindMeister
This blog resource offers hidden tricks of MindMeister, touching on how to make a great presentation using this tool and how you can communicate your message most effectively, it also walks you through how to export your mind map into PowerPoint which highlights all of the key discussion points for your easy reference.
Resource 3 – Advanced Features
This advanced feature list is an easy to navigate of advanced user features that MindMeister has, each embedded link offers additional information and “how to” guides for areas such as printing, formatting, chat options, zooming, exporting, sharing and presenting.
References
Clark, R. C., & Mayer, R. E. (2016). Chapter 15: e-Learning to Build Thinking Skills. In E-Learning and the science of instruction: proven guidelines for consumers and designers of multimedia learning (pp. 339–364). San Francisco: Pfeiffer.
Devitre, D. (2013, March 25). How to Create a Presentation in Minutes with MindMeister. [Web log post]. Doug Devitre. Retrieved from https://dougdevitre.com/2013/03/how-to-create-a-presentation-in-minutes-with-mindmeister/?_sm_au_=iDVq84W8b4SSL50DVRCQQK6vcF7Gc
Krist2366. (2017, February 4). Connectivism (Siemens, Downes). [Web page]. Learning Theories. Retrieved from https://www.learning-theories.com/connectivism-siemens-downes.html
Siemens, G., & Conole, G. (2011). Special Issue – Connectivism: Design and Delivery of Social Networked Learning. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 12(3), 1. Available from https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v12i3.994
Author
| Submitted by: | Sarah Patience |
| Email: | sarah.cuttress@uoit.net |
| Web Page: | www.s.patience.com/MINDMEISTER |
| Bio: | Sarah Patience is a Master of Education Student at Ontario Tech University, where she plans to focus her research on Indigenous Communities of Practice. She graduated from the AEDT program at Ontario Tech U and lives in the Toronto area. She currently works in marketing at AB World Foods and has a passion for food and travel. |