1.
Mind Mapping
Made Easy
Lauren Atkins and Chase Masters
Instructional Support Services
Enriching Scholarship*May 8, 2009

2.
Mind Mapping and Concept
Mapping...what?
A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks,
or other items linked to and arranged radially around a central
key word or idea. Mind maps are used to generate, visualize,
structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid in study,
organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing.
The mind map can be contrasted with the similar idea of concept
mapping: the former is based on radial hierarchies and tree
structures denoting relationships with a central governing
concept, whereas concept maps are based on connections
between concepts in more diverse patterns. When compared
with the concept map the structure of a mind map is a similar
radial, but is simplified by having one central key word
(Wikipedia).

3.
Mapping Tips
A good way to define the context for a concept map is to
construct a Focus Question, that is a question that
clearly specifies the problem or issue the concept map
should have to resolve. Every concept map responds to a
focus question, and a good focus question can lead to a
much richer concept map. When learning to construct
concept maps, learners tend to deviate from the focus
question and build a concept map that may be related to
the domain, but which does not answer the question.
From The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How to Construct Them Technical Report IHMC CmapTools 2006-01
Joseph D. Novak, Professor Emeritus, Cornell University and Senior Research Scientist, Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC)
Alberto J. Cañas Associate Director Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) www.ihmc.us

4.
Mapping Tips
Once the preliminary map is built, cross-links should
be sought. These are links between concepts in
different segments or domains of knowledge on the
map that help to illustrate how these domains are
related to one another. Cross-links are key to show
that the learner understands the relationships
bet ween the sub-domains in the map.
From The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How to Construct Them Technical Report IHMC CmapTools 2006-01
Joseph D. Novak, Professor Emeritus, Cornell University and Senior Research Scientist, Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC)
Alberto J. Cañas Associate Director Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) www.ihmc.us

5.
Mapping Tips
It is important to recognize that a
concept map is never finished. After a
preliminary map is constructed, it is
always necessary to revise this map.
Other concepts can be added. Good maps
usually result from three to many
revisions. This is one reason why using
computer soft ware is helpful.
From The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How to Construct Them Technical Report IHMC CmapTools 2006-01
Joseph D. Novak, Professor Emeritus, Cornell University and Senior Research Scientist, Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC)

6.
Some Examples
American Revolution
http://www.csun.edu/~vceed002/ref/presentation/concept_maps/am-revolution/american_rev.htm
Screw Classification
http://www.csun.edu/~vceed002/ref/presentation/concept_maps/classification/classification.htm
Cell Cycle
http://www.csun.edu/~vceed002/ref/presentation/concept_maps/cell-cycle/cellcycle.htm
USU Examples
http://library.usu.edu/instruct/tutorials/cm/CMSamples.htm
SMART: Themes in Wuthering Heights
http://smarttech.com/products/smartideas/svg/wuthering/index.html
SMART: Elements of Tragedy
http://smarttech.com/products/smartideas/svg/tradegy/index.html

7.
So Let’s Get Started...
This work shop will cover three mapping
applications:
Lovely Charts (online)
Freemind (a free, multiplatform
branching soft ware)
Vue (a free, multiplatform mapping and
presentations soft ware)

8.
Lovely Charts
my.lovelycharts.com
Lovely Charts is an online diagramming application that
allows users to create basic sitemaps, flowcharts and
diagrams that can then be exported to images.
Note: Lovely Charts does require an account to use. A free
basic account allows the user to work on one map at a time.
A premium account offers more features but we will be
working with the basic account. If you would prefer not to
create an account with Lovely Charts at this time, you
can simply follow along with the instructor.

9.
Lovely Charts
*“Drag and drop” vs “Create and Connect” method
*Multiple symbol and connector designs
*Customize colors, fonts, links
*Retrieve and edit diagrams from any internet-capable computer
*Export finished maps to jpeg
*Free! No install necessary

10.
http:/
Freemind
/freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Freemind is a “branching” mind mapping application.
It allows the user to begin with a central theme and
then subtopics “branch” off to the right or left. It
allows users to input a larger amount of text than
most mapping applications, and is often used for help
documents for that reason.
Freemind is open-source and available for all
computer platforms.

11.
FreeMind
*Add images, icons, notes, links and “clouds” to isolate areas of the map
*Customize text and colors
*Export map into jpeg, pdfs or clickable html that can function online (like this or This)
Free! But requires installation.

12.
http:/
Vue
/vue.tufts.edu/download/index.cfm
Vue is an open-source concept mapping
soft ware from Tufts University that will
work on any platform.
It is extremely versatile, very powerful
and also functions as a “presentation”
soft ware, somewhat similar to
Powerpoint.

13.
Vue Features
*Customize size, shapes,
colors and fonts
*Embed images, links and
documents
*Merge multiple maps
*Presentation/Slideshow
Mode
*Create pathways to produce specific information paths for p
*Presentation zoom
*Add notes and ontologies
*Export notes and handouts
*Free! Requires installation.

14.
Other mapping
CMap Tools: http://cmap.ihmc.us/conceptmap.html
Omnigraffle: http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/OmniGraffle/
MindManager: http://www.mindjet.com/products/mindmanager/
default.aspx
SMARTIdeas: http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/SMART
+Ideas/
PersonalBrain: http://www.thebrain.com/

15.
More Questions?
Lauren Atkins
Instructional Technology Consultant
LSA Instructional Support Ser vices
G333 Mason Hall
734-274-7348 or email
latkins@umich.edu