A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea.  They are used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid to studyingand organizing information, solving problems, making decisions, and writing.

Mind maps can be used for:

• problem solving
• outline/framework design
• structure/relationship representations
• condensing material into a concise and memorable format

Mind-map tools that I have found useful are mind42.com, Spicynodes, Bubbl.us, SpiderScribe, Slatebox  and mindmaple. Mind 42 is great for collaboration as its a web based application that doesn’t require your students to download any software and version control is not an issue. Another great web based application that can be used for mind maps is Prezi. MindMaple is a piece of software that is installed on your computer as opposed to being web based but it does offer considerably more functionality in terms of project management

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