Mission Possible #3: MindMeister
Mission Impossible #3: Digesting what you learn
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to “Digest what you learn with MindMeister.”
As you move from session to session at the Maricopa Tech conference, you will surely encounter a feeling that your brain is full of great new information that you may not be sure how you will use. Your mission should you choose to accept it, is to digest this rich plethora of information obtained at the conference using a mind mapping tool called MindMeister.
So what is mind mapping anyway?
According to the MindMeister website,
“MindMeister brings the concept of mind mapping to the web, using its facilities for real-time collaboration to allow truly global brainstorming sessions. Users can create, manage and share mind maps online and access them anytime, from anywhere. In brainstorming mode, fellow MindMeisters from around the world (or just in different rooms) can simultaneously work on the same mind map and see each other’s changes as they happen.”
Check out this video to find out a little about it.
The collaborative nature of this tool is what makes it unique. After you attend the conference, you can log in to your MindMeister account and create a mind map of the tools and applications that you have learned about. You can group them, link them and even add notes about them. Then you can share that mind map with others and learn how they are intending to use the tools. They can even add other applications, etc. to your mind map. Imagine the myriad of ways that you can use this with your students!
Getting started with a free MindMeister account is easy, just visit https://www.mindmeister.com/users/signup and fill out the required information. A free account will allow you to have 6 mind maps at a time. If you find you require more, you can migrate your free account to an academic account for $15/year.
This video provides information on how to create an account and how to begin your mind map.
What you will find is that this is a great way to visually represent information. Student applications can be collaboration on brainstorming and can help them think critically about topics. As an instructor, you can review the history and see who contributed what content. It merges the visual aspect of a mind map with the ability to create a mind map collaboratively, and review the history of the development of the mind map.
How to:
1. From the web, go to https://www.mindmeister.com/users/signup
2. Create an account
3. Play with MindMeister by creating a mind map
4. After the conference create a mind map of the sessions you attended
5. Share with colleagues that you meet at the conference
That is your mission. This message will not self destruct, instead it will linger forever as a ghost on the web.
