Cmap Tools

CmapTools

The Cmap Tools application is a powerful thinking tool that enables students to create, publish, and collaborate on mind maps. Students in my ARW classes in Fall used Cmap Tools to summarise and react to course readings- mind maps were an alternative to written read-react journals. The benefits I observed included:

• Cmap Tools mind maps had more ideas per page compared to thinking recorded in sentence form


• Cmap Tools encourages brief, clear thinking.


• Cmap Tools prompts students to connect their ideas (summary & reaction)- to create a more unified, coherent model of knowledge.

This semester I want to explore the use of Cmap Tools to support online collaboration (pairs, small group, whole class)- to share, create, comment on, and edit work. To me, this is the possibly the most exciting aspect of Cmap Tools. I would also like to encourage students to integrate their mind maps into larger projects.

Example of Student's Work (with permission)












Getting Started
If you are interested in using Cmap Tools with your students, the instructions I sent to my classes may be useful.

About Mind Maps & Cmap Tools
This semester you need to submit a minimum of two mind maps of texts in the ELP Reader. Cmap Tools can help you create a mind map. Building a mind map is a critical thinking activity- it requires you to reflect on your reading- to analyse and critically evaluate the ideas and issues in the text. Cmap Tools is therefore a tool for thinking. An effective & valuable mind map will summarise the MAIN POINTS and your REACTIONS and show the CONNECTIONS between these ideas. Cmap Tools will support you in making a valuable record of you understanding and reactions: it will encourage you to be brief but comprehensive and to connect all your thoughts.
Getting Started with Cmap ToolsGo to this website http://cmap.ihmc.us/download/index.php
Choose the correct version for your computer (Mac or Windows).
Download the program to your computer desktop.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you are connected to the Internet BEFORE you click on the Cmap Tools icon to start the program.
Click on the download icon on your desktop and follow the installation instructions carefully. Cmap Tools is now ready to use!
Spend sometime learning to use the program- it is easy to learn the basics and kind of fun to play with too. And don't worry, you cannot break anything!
More help? Don't worry if you have a problem, email me or come & talk to me and we will fix the problem.

Links
Cmap Tools homepage http://cmap.ihmc.us/
Download application http://cmap.ihmc.us/download/
Help http://cmap.ihmc.us/Support/Help/
Owen’s homepage Cmap Tools index for students/teachers http://okoj.net/moodle/ - see left sidebar

DigitALL hopes you may have found this useful & hopes you will join in future discussions.