Eager to try a new mind mapping tool to help the boys organize their ideas for a report they were writing in Social Studies, we recently downloaded Idea Sketch, a not-overly-complicated app for ipad.
Idea Sketch allows users to create a mind or concept map using a variety of colours, shapes and lines. Font size and style can also be changed, though the options are not unlimited. As a teacher, I actually like the simplicity of th app. The boys used Idea Sketch to create a graphic organizer for their Medieval Times report, and it did not take them long to get a working knowledge of the tool. This meant more time working on the actual assignment, and less time being frustrated about how to use the app and make it do what they needed it to do.
Idea Sketch allows users to create a mind or concept map using a variety of colours, shapes and lines. Font size and style can also be changed, though the options are not unlimited. As a teacher, I actually like the simplicity of th app. The boys used Idea Sketch to create a graphic organizer for their Medieval Times report, and it did not take them long to get a working knowledge of the tool. This meant more time working on the actual assignment, and less time being frustrated about how to use the app and make it do what they needed it to do.
What’s really neat about using this app is that in addition to the visual overview, the user can -- with the tap of a button -- convert the mind map into an outline view, which is perfect for students preparing to write a report… after organizing their ideas visually, the app structures the ideas into jot-note paragraphs, all ready for writing sentences!
As a second activity, I assigned the boys to create a mind map about our trip to Colonia, Uruguay. I wanted them to experiment with colour, shape and font a little, and to use the photo feature of the app -- pictures can be inserted into any mind map! Here's what they came up with...
As a second activity, I assigned the boys to create a mind map about our trip to Colonia, Uruguay. I wanted them to experiment with colour, shape and font a little, and to use the photo feature of the app -- pictures can be inserted into any mind map! Here's what they came up with...
Obviously, we're just getting started with this app, and are still playing more with the app than the actual ideas we're using it for. But already, I'm impressed: The kids are enjoying using it, and I can see its capabilities as a powerful organizational tool for school, not just at home this year, but also in my classroom next year!