A free web application called bubbl.us is very interesting. The user can create webs or mind maps that a teacher would typically create on a chalkboard with a class. It is a tool that assists the user in brainstorming their thoughts online. The user does not have to register to create mind maps. However, once the user does register, many more options are available. One option is that work can then be saved and a friend's list can be created (which will allow the user the option to easily collaborate with others). Before sharing the mind map with friends (that have an account with bubbl.us), the creator of the map can set the map's preferences to a read only format or to full edit access format. If the map is in a read only format, the map can only be read by a friend and not edited. If the map is in full edit access format, the map can be edited by a friend. Other options that are available for the creator of the map is to embed the map in a blog or website. The power of this program over typical mind maps in the classroom is that users can build a mind map together online that can easily be modified and seen by a variety of users. One of the best parts is that the creator of the mind map has control over who can and who can't modify their map.
When creating a mind map, many different options are available. The first thing the user can do is mouse over the original bubble that is automatically created in the middle of the screen. One option that is available in this bubble, is to click and drag the bubble to any location on the screen. Another option is to change the color of the bubble. At the bottom center of the bubble, the user can click on a small box that creates a child bubble (a bubble that is just connected under the main bubble). The user can also create a sibling bubble (a new bubble that is not connected to the original bubble). Bubbles that are not automatically connected can be connected with a connector button that is available on each bubble.
1 comment:
Brad, bubble.us sounds like a great resource that I can use in my classroom with my special needs students. We could use it in Language Arts to create webs before they start writing. What I normally have to do is have them orally tell me their ideas and I write the web for them so that they only have to write the rough draft and final copy. I do this because for some of them, writing is a daunting task and it takes them forever. With bubble.us, I could have them type their web and then still hand write the rough draft and final copy. This would help so that a teacher does not have to be with them and they can work more independently.
Post a Comment