In this third and final post in the series,
Steve Molyneux, ThinkBuzan
Licensed Instructor, CEO of the iPad
Academy and Apple Distinguished Educator, provides us with
an insight into 7 innovative ways for teachers to utilise Mind Mapping
with iMindMap
HD for the iPad in the classroom.
Finding
innovative teaching methods to keep students
engaged is a constant struggle for teachers. Mind Mapping, as a technique, has
been used as a tool for creativity and visual thinking in the classroom since its
invention by Tony Buzan in the 1970s.iMindMap allows students to create organic Mind Maps and is the ideal tool for facilitating individual or group brainstorming sessions, making lesson plans and handouts, setting creative homework tasks and creating presentations.
With the classroom exercises and ideas outlined below, you’ll be
able to see how iMindMap encourages students to engage in classroom activities,
unleash their creativity and become more independent learners.
1) Create templates
iMindMap is pre-loaded with a range of customisable templates.
However, teachers can also create their own templates in iMindMap and issue the
templates to students for them to complete as homework or during lessons. This
exercise always works well as the template provides students with direction and
acts as a foundation for them to build upon.
2) Connect the iPad to
the projector
The projector is a fundamental tool in the classroom. If you’re
using the iMindMap HD app for the iPad, you can connect the class iPad to the
projector at the front of the classroom. This a great way to display
information for everyone to see. Teachers can walk around the classroom holding
the iPad, ask students to express their ideas and then add the ideas to the
Mind Map in iMindMap HD. With the ideas clearly visible on the whiteboard,
students will be more eager to contribute in class discussions so that their
ideas feature in the Mind Map.
3) Paired work for
students
Paired work is an essential activity for students of any age.
Teachers can ask students to brainstorm ideas for a specific topic in iMindMap
HD using a shared iPad. Once all the ideas have been collected and
consolidated, the teacher can then assign a branch from the map to each pair
and ask them to research it in greater depth. Remember to add the names of
students who are researching each branch on the Mind Map, ready for the next
lesson.
4) Peer review exercises
With an in-app subscription to iMindMap
Freedom, students are able to share their work through the iMindMap
Cloud. The students can easily engage in peer review exercises, build upon
ideas and add their own comments to the map. Reviewing each other’s work allows
students to think more objectively and gain new ideas to improve their own
individual Mind Maps.
5) ‘Illustrate and
explain’ exercises
We all know the phrase “a picture says a thousand words”. During
brainstorming sessions, ask students to use images from the computer or from
iMindMap’s built-in image library to represent their ideas in their Mind Map.
Student should explain their ideas and say how the images chosen illustrate
them. This exercise works well for students with poor writing skills who may
lack confidence in their written ability. Also, several studies have shown that
images enhance long-term memory and recall of information.
6) Assessing student
performance
iMindMap can also be used to analyse the progress of each
student throughout the year. Teachers can highlight the student’s strengths,
weaknesses and areas for improvement. For younger students, it is beneficial to
print a copy of the Mind Map to provide at parent’s evening. The Mind Map is a
great point of reference to assess how well a student is performing and
developing over time.
7) Developing research
techniques
To aid independent learning, teachers provide students with
basic background information. The students then research the topic in greater
depth online, recording their findings in iMindMap. Students can attach
multimedia resources to their maps with web links, text notes, audio notes and
video links, enabling efficient referencing. In addition, this exercise helps
students memorise information, as all the key findings are visible in an
easy-to-read Mind Map – a valuable revision tool.
Why iMindMap?
“There is often the misconception that
iMindMap is just an electronic version of the hand drawn technique. Although
iMindMap does not replace hand drawn maps, it adds a new dimension to
brainstorming. The multi-media capabilities add so much value to the learning
experience – which is ideal for technology savvy educators. iMindMap has the
capability to do everything the hand drawn technique does, and so much more.”
Steve’s Final Thoughts on iMindMap in
education…
“Previously, the teacher controlled what
the student learnt and the learning tools which children had access to.
However, with the development of ‘smart’ mobile devices such as iPads, students
are now taking control of their own learning. Introducing them to tools such as
iMindMap at a young age gives them the opportunity to develop key life skills
such as independent research, critical thinking, creativity and analytical
skills.”
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Interested in iMindMap for your school?
ThinkBuzan has a new educational app available for schools, iMindMap EDU. We offer significant educational volume discounts on iMindMap EDU, so for an official quotation please contact our Sales Team.
Md. Nasir Khan
Director
Central Academic Research & Development
(CARD), Manipur Creative School
ThinkBuzan Licensed Instructor
MindMap, iMindMap, MemorySkills,
SpeedReading & CreativeTeaching
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