Simplemind
the actual simple way to capture your thinking.
The
cool tool that I will review this week is called Simplemind.
It is the first time that the title of an application truly held true to
the actual use of the tool. Simplemind is
the easiest tool I have ever used to create a mind map. According to simplemind.com, a mind map is a
tool for the brain that captures the thinking that goes on inside your head. Mind maps are perfect for brainstorming and
they provide a platform to collect knowledge, remember, and create ideas. This tool can be utilized on a website
browser or as a mobile application. I
choose to use the tool in the mobile app manner.
Simplemind
is free and very easy to download. It is
offered in the Google app store for androids and the Apple app store for iPhones. After downloading the app, the user is
brought to an example mind map that shows the ins and outs of the tool. Since I have used mind maps before I started
to create my own and used a eighth grade social studies lesson on the American
Revolution for the content.
Picture 1
After
selecting to begin a new mind map the user can select the design of their map.
Picture 2
As
seen below, the mind map will start with the central idea in a blue box and the
user can then begin to add content to expand on information.
Picture 3
As
stated before, I created The Road to Revolution mind map which includes events,
acts, and people to support thinking for the main idea.
Picture 4
After
content is added, the user can scroll through their ideas to add or remove
information.
Picture 5
Since
I used this tool for educational purposes, I created an assignment bubble for
my students to complete after the lesson.
The mind map can be shared to any number of people and the people it was
shared to have the ability to view and edit the map.
Picture 6
Unfortunately,
to fully access all of the features that Simplemind has to offer, the user must
buy the full version of the app. For
this reason, I am unable to share and link the mind map that I created with the
tool.
Picture 7
I
would use this tool to help develop my students’ brainstorming abilities and to
actually show how a mind map can explain their thinking using images and
text. I would use this tool in the
classroom for a variety of purposes:
1. Presentation
2. Brainstorming
after lesson
3. Organization
of thoughts
4. Problem
solving
5. Retention
of information from text sources
6. Simple
notes.
I see no major challenges using this tool because it is as
simple to use as its name suggests. The
only concern would be whether the student has access to the technology to use
the tool. Sometimes the simplest of
tools can have the greatest effect and I believe Simplemind has that
capability.
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