Mind Mapping & Essential Questions
“Put the Essential Questions up on the wall, display, wherever students can see them” we are told by McTigue and Wiggins. In other words, put the EQs in the students’ mind from day 1 of the unit. One way to do this is to use a digital mind mapping tool like Inspiration, Cmap, Mindmeister and/or Bubbl with a built in template of the EQs. The students then expand the diagram with their ideas and understanding as the unit progresses.
If the students use Inspiration, the teacher will need access to their network storage to formatively assess understanding. One could also ask the students to blog periodically to describe what they are adding to their mind maps. The teacher needs the account sign on information to access the online mind maps if those tools are used.
The completed mind maps can be used as the common assessment and/or as a talking point for students working in groups to share ideas as they prepare for an upcoming assessment. The sharing is powerful as the students build on each other’s understandings. One could also have them post to their blogs or possibly use an online forum to have the discussion take place after school hours.
For more on concept/mind mapping, check out the Teacher Toolkit section on Inspiration and the Teaching Tool area that has 3 resource links for concept mapping.
I’ve been using NovaMind for my teaching. Finding it much better than any other programs I’ve tried. It even has an option for printing out your mind maps without the text on the branches so that the students can fill it in, getting the visual, audio and kinesthetic learning. You might like to check it out…
Excellent referral, James. NovaMind jumps right past Inspiration especially for MS and HS student. I love the graphics and library of images. The Van Gogh mind map on the home page with examples of his art is very powerful. I have been in the elementary school for a few years so now that I am in the MS & HS I can see the need to upgrade. Thanks for sharing this. -David