MindMeister in Google Docs - Concept Mapping App

MindMeister is a concept mapping app add-on for Google Docs.  It works when you have bulleted lists.  I can see it useful for nursing students who are learning to see relationships of diseases to pathophysiology, medications, assessments, and diagnostic testing.  It is really easy to use.  First, download it from the Add-ons menu.  Activate it.  Afterwards create a bulleted list.  Highlight the list and click Insert as Mind Mapp from the Add-ons menu.  A YouTube video displaying how the Add-one works is below.

Teacher Training Videos and Glogster

I had a few moments to explore a website developed by Russell Stannard, Teacher Training Videos at http://www.teachertrainingvideos.com/

He has a wealth of information available for teachers and has developed short video tutorials for the resources he discusses.  One that I viewed was about Glogster.  Glogster (http://www.glogster.com/) allows us to create interactive posters that include video and audio.  A teacher can have a free account that will accommodate 50 students. Glogster is a social networking tool because the posters can be shared and  rated. It is an interesting teaching tool and certainly one worth exploring.

I can envision using Glogster to create an interactive concept map.  I thought of concepts maps after reviewing a QSEN (Quality and Safety Education for Nurses) presentation, Advanced Practice Nursing

Education: Teaching QSEN Informatics and Teamwork Competencies, where DNP students used concept maps to depict the electronic health record (EHR). The PDF presentation is online at http://www.qsen.org/docs/2011_conference/QSEN_2011_Warren.pdf

Using Excel to Create a Concept Map

Debby and I were working on the graduate handbook yesterday - while she also had Elluminate Live open chatting with the grad students taking pathophysiology.  She has the students create concept maps for topics the students are studying in patho.  She was commenting on the impressive creativity that the students are demonstrating.  One of the apps the students use was Excel.  At first I was surprised, but then reflected on the fact the Excel has the same drawing tools found in Word and PowerPoint.  I did a little research and found a website that has a tutorial on how to use Excel to create a concept map.  The site is http://www.internet4classrooms.com/excel_concept_map.htm

Popplet

Popplet (http://popplet.com/)%20is a concept mapping app available for the personal computer (PC) and iPad.  It really is amazingly simple to use.  It allows you to use color, text, drawing, images, and video into linked concepts or popplets.  After you have created the concept map you can share it with others.  The PC version allows you to copy and embed code or share using email.  The iPad version allows you to share the concept map as a PDF (have to purchase the full version of the app) or email the file as a jpg image.

It could be used to create a concept map related to patient care.  I especially like the ability to incorporate media so easily!