Brainstorming

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** [|**Bubbl.us**] **  **//What is this?//** ~  Bubbl.us is a Web 2.0 tool that allows users to create concept maps and brainstorming diagrams online. To start, the main topic or concept is entered into the parent bubble, and additional thoughts or ideas about the main topic/concept are recorded into colorful text bubbles, which are linked to the parent bubble. All users can continue to add these text bubbles that are color coded according to their hierarchy. The latest Flash viewer needs to be installed, since this application is flash-based. The only disadvantage to using this is that only 3 mind-maps can be saved after creating an account. If a user wants to save any more than that, then he/she must upgrade to a subscription-based account. Any educator can apply for an educational discount when creating an account. The discount provides 50% off, which results in $3.00 per month or $29.00 paid annually. This is an application that can be used in any classroom at any grade level. (Click below for an explanation)  [|Video explanation]

**// Teaching & Learning: ~ //**

By using this mind map, students can see how words and ideas link to one another and to a main topic or concept. This 21st century teaching tool allows students to use their critical thinking skills, in order to analyze different elements of a new or difficult subject. This can also enhance the creativity levels of the students, and allow for collaboration among groups through group brainstorming and mind mapping. These group discussions can encourage students to develop that sense of working as a team and how to use effective communication skills. There are a number of benefits to using Bubbl.us in the classroom, and these include: easy access and use; does not require a paid account membership (unless you want to save a lot of work that has been done); assist in organization of thoughts, explores relationships or generates ideas; encourages risk taking and group discussions; and incorporates multiple intelligences, by helping those visual and kinesthetic learners. According to Robert Marzano, who is a leading researcher in the field of education, Bubbl.us can be utilized for those non-linguistic representations, which can involve the creation of graphic representations, illustrations/pictures/pictographs, and generation of mental pictures. This allows students to use visual learning methods by stimulating their thinking and by increasing comprehension, organization, and overall learning.

**// Examples: ~ //**  By using Bubbl.us, students can brainstorm or organize their ideas in order to prepare and enhance their writing for an essay. A lot of times, students know what they want to write about, but they do not know how to organize their thoughts and write/type them on paper. By using this web tool, students will begin with an idea and think it through by inserting ideas into bubbles. These bubbles can then be connected and color coded giving a visual representation of the connections between any ideas that work together, and also those that do not work well together. In general, these can be used for things like identifying elements of a story or for brainstorming/researching on a topic or idea, in order to help comprehend the information.

In addition, Bubbl.us can be utilized as a pre/post-test or as an assessment tool on a topic. Students can show what they know about a topic before the beginning of a lesson through creation of their own mind or concept map. Likewise, students can show what they have learned or review any material taught following a lesson by creating a mind or concept map. Educators can use this mind map tool as a way to assess the information and knowledge obtained by their students and for identification of any gaps in their learning that may have happened. Below are examples of mind maps that were created using Bubbl.us:

Example 1: Topic of Civilization (more complex mind map) Example 2: Topic of Thanksgiving (less complex mind map) = = 

[|**flowchart.com**] **//What is this ?//** ~ an online, multi-user, real time collaboration tool. [|flowchart demo] **//Teaching & Learning ~//** **//Examples//** ~ ** [|**sync.in**] ** **//What is this?//** ~ a web-based word processor for people to collaborate in real time. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 80%; text-align: left;">//**Teaching & Learning**// ~ <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 80%; text-align: left;">//**Examples**// ~

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**[|Twiddla]**
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;">Mark up websites, graphics, and photos, or start brainstorming on a blank canvas. Browse the web with your friends or make that conference call more productive than ever. ===== <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 80%; text-align: left;">**//Teaching & Learning//** ~ <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 80%; text-align: left;">**//Examples//** ~