Personally I have a hard time creating aesthetically pleasing concept maps with pen and paper. In my mind I see flowing colours and pleasing shapes connecting concise ideas and concepts in a coherent pattern. But honestly they turn out to be chicken scratch so illegible that it would be better used as the map for some long lost treasure, so I've usually asked others to write for me.
But technology has set me free.
With the use of online and software powered tools my lack of drawing talent is not an issue. The system lets me manipulate it in ways which I like and are fun while giving me the ability to create the visual style that suites me.
Some tools that I have grown to utilise frequently are Bubbl.us and Text2mindmap. It is simple and easy to organise concepts in aesthetically pleasing ways which I have used for this and other courses:
An unexpected benifit is that it has given me more confidence to try and create similar styles in the real world with me mediocre drawing skills
(Pretty ain't it)
Because of technology we are not limited to the traditional concept map and can use a number of different sites and software to create interesting and creatively diverse concept mapping.
View things Australian in a larger map
With more complex systems you can take a traditional concept map and add depth and scope to open it into a full presentation of ideas
But it is important that with each of these tools it is important that the context of learning be acknowledged. each tool is useless if not used effectivly in conjuction with the content being taught and the pedagogy used.
So ask the questions
- Is this a tool I use to convey information or for the students to use in conveing their understanding, analytical and or creating skills?
- Does the contect fit this context?
It is still important that the whole experience be created and not just the tool investigated.
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