PE: Final Project: Mind42.com

Final Project Planning - RILS Planning

Target Audience – Senior English Students.

Materials – Laptop Connected to Projects (computers for all students if possible), Internet access, Mind42.com.

Objectives – To create a mind map, as a class with student participation, of the material we read in class and the themes we discuss linked to outside sites that will enhance the learning to these. The Mind Map will be used through the year and/or as a review session before exams.

Procedure – during class, I will set up the basic shell of the mind map to each main text we read in class, students will review by telling me the themes. Once the basic mind map is in place, I will have the students (in the computer lab) work together to expand on the mind map by adding links, images, plot lines, addition text examples. So by the end class, we will have created a completed, interactive mind map that they can access anywhere they have internet access.

Web 2.0 Tool – Mind42.com.

Social Participation/Social Learning – The students will be interacting with the tool and with each other to add as many additions as possible.

Making Connections – The students will access prior knowledge by review the basics of what we learned in class but then through this lesson they will research and collaborate to expand the mind map that will ultimately be their study guide at exam time.

Create/Produce - The end product will be the class mind map

Reflection – I will have the students write an exit ticket on what they thought of the experience after they immediately do it. Then at exam time I will have them reflect on the usefulness this lesson and this tool had on their learning.

The class has all the steps except the reflection. On Monday, I will give them time to finalize any part of the mind map and then the groups will present what they did, to the class and then they will do the reflection at the end. I was actually shocked at the amount of effort I got from them in working with this tool. There were all working together, I am not used to seeing an entire class collaborate on a project. I think I am on to something here.

PE5-Mind42.com

Ok, I was on a roll. I created the basic shell mind-maps for each unit involved in my CBR. Just a reminder, my lesson plan for the web 2.0 tool (mind42.com)will play a roll in my CBR challenge. So I made a basic mind-map for Beowulf, Canterbury Tales, Macbeth, and Pride & Prejudice. I included only themes, author info, and era background titles. The students will have to research these units (depending on what unit they are in) to collaborate and enhance the mind-maps. They will have to change colors, add links and images, add additional nodes. These mind-maps will be used by the groups in the unit lesson presentation.

I also decided to make a mind-map organizing my ideas for my own CBR challenge. Then I can use that when it comes time to explaining the challenge to my students. Plus it helps me keep track of what I have done and what I need to do.

For example, I know I have to finish my pre-survey by Wednesday and plan to assign the challenge by the end of the week. Then I will present learning styles, then teaching methods, and so on. I plan on continuing this mind-map by adding in links to the Sunshine State Standards website (instead of printing off copies), as well as links to learning styles and teaching methods and web 2.0 tools. The challenge will be figuring out what will get through the school students computer firewall. I also realized I can't have the students collaborate on the mind-map until I get access to their school emails.Which I will be inquiring about tomorrow.

PE4-Mind42.com

So I have been busy becoming a Mind42.com expert in-time to do my lesson either this week or next. I am looking to use this web 2.0 tool with my senior English block class (who I won't meet until Monday). I plan to use it collaboratively with all the student in the class. I have reserved the media center lab in anticipation of doing this lesson. While the class is in the lab, I will get them started on Mind42.com by laying the basics out in the mind maps (this lesson will eventually tie into my CBR also). Then the students will be responsible for enhancing the mind-map individually on their computers: adding links, images, notes).

So today I checked out the Introduction video provided under the "about" menu on the Mind42.com website (or you can go to http://vimeo.com/1230441) The video is good about showing all the options available with this program and how simple the options are to execute. However, the video has no verbal instructions and goes pretty fast. I think a beginner would be better off playing around with the tool first then watch the video so they won;t be lost. I will say, I did not know about the post-it note option until I watched the video. But, when it comes to the uploading to the internet and the sharing option, I will be coming back to this video to focus on the part of it. I also learned that you don't have to post your mind map for the whole world to see, but those that do, the map are all under the browse maps menu. You find the map you need already made (why invent the wheel all over again?) Even if you want to make your own map, browsing the pre-made maps is helpful in giving you ideas on ways to set up our map.

So, my next step in implementing my plan is to create maps for 3 of the 4 groups that will be in my class. I want to save one map to create in-class so the students can see how to use it. But really Mind42.com mind-map are so easy, even if they weren't paying attention they could still figure it out. I actually started 1 of the maps when I first found this tool, so I am on my way.

BP7_1 minute movie_Commercial

I made a commercial to promote PlanbookEdu.com to teachers.

BP6_classmate's blog link

Here is a link to Dr. Jude Rathburn's blog about a Web 2.0 tool that looks really fun.

BP5_classmate's blog

Here is a link to Cheryl McGovern's blog post with her cute iMovie from her quilting vacation.

BP4_mind42.com

Ok, so I know we have use mind mapping tools before in this EMDT program. But I have to say, Mind42.com is the best mind mapping tool have have come across. It is so easy. It literally is just click click click. On the other mind mapping tools I've used, there is lots of right clicking to get options to show, whereas with mind42.com the editing option appear as soon as you create a line. Even the sign up was quick.

Another reason I like this mind mapping tool best is that with other tools, I have to draw the line from one idea to the next and move the ideas around to fit. After a while it looks very sloppy. Mind42.com automatically branches off your ideas with just a simple click of the "node as child" or "node as sibling."

But, the biggest selling point for me was all the extra options (still easily used, very self-explainitory). For each node you can attach links to web sites that relate to your idea. For example my mind map was about Beowulf (the novel), so I attach a link to the Wikipedia site for Beowulf. I did the same thing for the node about epic heroes and Anglo-Saxons. You can also link this mind map to other mid maps you create. Like, I could also use this to make a mind map for each novel I teach in my senior English class and then link them all together through a separate mind map dealing with the central themes we discuss in each. You can also set an icon or add an image from the web to identify your node. Plus if you mess up, there is a simple "undo" button on the left.

This mind map can be collaborated on, by students in my case, if they had access. Then as a class they could build the mind map with details and links. I have absolutely found my new classroom toy for both my students and me. I can't wait to use it Tuesday as a review tool before midterms.