MindMeister

Return to Creative Web Tools Overview = [|Mindmeister.com] =

Create concept maps on the web with MindMeister (www.mindmeister.com). Similar to Inspiration software, MindMeister allows the user to create nodes and links to map complex relationships between ideas. Unlike Inspiration software, MindMeister utilizes cloud computing and allows "many users" to collaborate on the same map simultaneously while at various terminal locations via the web. Follow this link to a 4 minute Demo video well worth watching: [] A limited version is available for FREE with no expiration date in sight. With the limited edition, a user is allowed to create 3 mind maps, only editable online. Upon registering for the free version, the user is entitled to 30 days free of the premium version, no catch, no strings. (The marketing ploy is to make the user hungry for the higher priced version.) The presence of the premium version left the following to be determined: Does the limited free version only allow the user to create 3 mind maps ever or only have 3 maps at a time, deleting old maps to make room for new maps. Most importantly, sharing and collaboration on maps is available in the free mode. When completed, maps can be exported as an Image file, PDF, or RTF (outline form) or published to blogs or other websites. The free version does subtly advertise books from Amazon in the upper right corner based off of the content of your nodes. Registration is required to use MindMeister and must be linked to a valid e-mail address.
 * How much does it cost?**

For those familiar with Inspiration software, MindMeister is self explanatory: adding, deleting, and connecting nodes; hiding "children" of nodes; changing the font; dragging the map. Keyboard shortcuts are offered to speed up the basic mapping process. All changes are saved automatically alleviating the fear of losing work. Undo and Redo buttons are located on the toolbar. Some of the more robust features of Inspiration are missing; for example, there is no option to change the background color, to change the type of link to a right angle or double curve, and to change the box outline around the node text. Nodes can be labeled with images both in the MindMeister library, from personal files, or from a Google image search (within MindMeister). Interestingly one can also add icons in addition to an image to categorize or mark nodes, thus expressing relationships between nodes in a manner beyond the traditional link. Experimentation showed that multiple and even duplicate icons can be added to the same node.
 * Is it user friendly?**

MindMeister placed their design focus on the collaboration aspect of its "browser-based software." Collaboration seems somewhat unlimited. (While attempting to invite 28 fake e-mail addresses for experimentation purposes, the program protested the fake but not the amount.) Although, who would want to allow 20 or more people to edit the same map? Moreover collaborators can edit the map simultaneously. My partner and I experimented with the simultaneous collaboration with both MindMeister and Google Docs: MindMeister shows the changes of other contributors in real time whereas with Google Docs a noticeable delay was experienced and information inadvertently typed over. In theory, collaborators can chat or talk via Skype within the MindMeister map. However, as seen below, those features were not available during our free experimentation. Similar to Google Docs although in a more attractive format, MindMeister has a revision history in pictorial mode (refer to the picture below) or in list mode, both which are hidden when editing the map. The revision history allows you to scroll back to an earlier version and fast forward through all revisions. Contributions from different collaborators are distinguished by both color and name. One can also revert back to any former revision, either deleting changes past that mark or saving as a different map. The upgrade allows you to attach files or link webpages to nodes, work on maps offline, and assumedly Skype collaborators within MindMeister. The premium version also includes the unique Geistesblitz (meaning brain flash) Tool which can be added to your desktop, dashboard, or iGoogle to capture those moments of brilliance. Ideas typed and entered on the Geistesblitz tool are inserted automatically into your default MindMeister concept map. http://www.mindmeister.com/services/tools/geistesblitz_widgets Note, however, the price jump for these nifty features is significant. The Academic Edition (by far cheaper than the business version) costs $18 per/user/ year (minimum of 20 users) or a site license anywhere from $600-$4,000 depending on your school bracket.
 * The Upgrade**

The limitations to the free version and the high price for upgrading are definite drawbacks. Moreover during the experimentation process MindMeister was explored through Internet Explorer on a PC and also Safari on a MAC. MindMeister worked flawlessly on the MAC, but was occasionally glitchy on the PC. For example after moving 23 nodes in a row, I could no longer move another node. I also had trouble reverting to an older revision. Positively, exiting out of the mind map and re-entering solved all immediate issues. While this might make a great MAC commercial, the glitches may actually be due more to the internet browser. In addition, the very polished help section was unsearchable and quite useless for the glitches experienced. One could however e-mail the MindMeister team for help.
 * The Downsides**

(All ideas are simply ideas and have not been tried in a classroom setting.) Quotes from www.mindmeister.com; pictures courtesy of the Jing tool
 * Ideas for classroom use -- Free Version:**
 * Basically, create a concept map expressing the multi-faceted relationships between ideas on a topic as a project. Creating concepts maps offers students an opportunity to express knowledge in a more visual format. The act of linking nodes, identifying the relationships between concepts, requires thinking on the analysis level -- a vast improvement from students simply regurgitating information. With the free MindMeister version students not only can work on such concept maps in class but are free to continue their work on their home computers, a great equalizer for students who require more time than others to complete a map. This cloud computing feature is quite a bonus for teachers (D.R.) who in the past have avoided allotting classroom time to concept maps simply because of the time-consuming nature of such projects. MindMeister's collaborative feature opens wide the possibilities for classroom concept maps. Interestingly a group could work together without sitting together at all or for that matter without even being in the same room. For more instruction or ideas on the use of concept maps in the classroom visit []
 * Have groups create a project plan to guide and organize their research projects.
 * Collaborate with students from another country to create a concept map on cultural topics, global warming and other environmental concerns, a French vocabulary list, pandemics, World War II, or a math topic such as Linear equations (we use certain mnemonics and terms such as rise/run that may be phrased differently in other countries). ePals.com may provide a networking opportunity.
 * Collaborate with another classroom in the same county to create group concept maps. Perhaps a great resource for reviewing for state testing.
 * Ideas for the MindMeister Academic Edition:**
 * __Digitalize a word wall or idea wall__: Install the Geistesblitz Tool/Gadget on the desktop of your Interactive Whiteboard or projected screen, and as new ideas or new vocabulary arise in class, type into the Geistesblitz Gadget. These ideas will be automatically added to your default mind map thus you have created an instant digital word wall or idea wall. At a later date, either as a class or as a group assignment organize/categorize those automatically-added ideas encouraging students to make deeper connections between the concepts. To use as a group assignment, repeatedly duplicate the original default map to match the number of groups in your class and use the collaborative feature to allow each group to create their own rendition of the fine tuned idea wall.
 * Use as the organizing face of an electronic portfolio -- With the academic version, students can embed attachments into their nodes. Therefore the surface map could categorize the different artifacts presented in the portfolio, each node leading to the attached artifact.
 * Create a study guide: Similar to the e-portfolio, students could create a map organizing the concepts and skills in an entire unit, linking nodes to one of the following: documents, voicethreads, blogs, websites, etc. The links could either demonstrate that the student has proficiency with the skill or lead to questions practicing that skill or concept.
 * Facilitate Research: Students can use the Geistesblitz Tool, installed on their desktop, while gathering research information via the internet, quickly typing into their Geistesblitz Tool as they hit new ideas or information thus adding directly to their default map and later organizing new information.