Discovering Bubbl.us

I have to admit, I have always been one of those that use mind-maps during revision. Sorting through notes and simplifying them into mind-map format worked effectively for me. However, that was usually hand-drawn mind maps, which I could stick up onto walls and into files to add instant colour as opposed to all of my written notes. I only went so far as to dipping into my pencil case of felt-tip pens to create my mind-maps, I didn't venture into the world of computer-crafted mind-maps. That was until we looked at a site called Bubbl.us in our PGCE lesson. 

Bubbl.us is a software that is simple and quick and creates information in a neat and clear format. As quoted from Lifehacker.com, 'Don't let resistance to learning new software stop you from doing it. Bubbl.us is speedy, free, and requires less than a minute to learn.' Therefore, I thought I would ditch the felt tips and use a Bubbl.us mind-map in my English class. What I created can be seen below:

I found the software really easy to use, and it was nice to try something new to apply to my lessons. Admittedly, I do enjoy the creative part of drawing my own mind-map and it is an easy way of adding ideas to the mind-map as revision goes along. However, when it came to teaching, the bubbl.us methods looks more professional and it was a good site for me to suggest to students as it is quick, easy and also free. I would like to use computer-crafted mind-maps in the future when teaching. My next aim is to look for a mind-mapping software that offers more variation when formatting. This means more shapes, colour, background setting etc. Discovering bubbl.us was a great way of setting me up on my methodological adventure of finding new ways of resourcing material for teaching. 

References:

https://bubbl.us/ [Accessed 5 November 2014]

Lifehacker.com found at https://bubbl.us/ [Accessed 5 November 2014]