Thing #14 Go with the flowchart or map your mind

My first flowchart created on Gliffy

    When I think of flowcharts, my thoughts conjure up IRS form instructions or WebMd diagnostic charts. I generally don't think of education. I have never used them in any classes. I do see them as helpful when there are multiple steps/outcomes in procedures; they would be helpful in a chemistry class. They could have applications in a grammar lesson or in a research procedure. A flowchart could determine the direction that a research project ultimately ends up going. I don't think I would go through the formality of creating one for my own personal use using software like gliffy. Although it was easy enough to use, it does take more time than drawing bubbles with arrows. I don't know whether I would use flowcharts in the classroom.
     I had never heard of a mindmap before. I think they are a good way of extrapolating ideas from a theme or concept. I enjoyed building my mindmap on examtime. I did not want to use mindmeister because I did not want to provide a credit card. The examtime mindmap was a little nicer than the bubbl.us mindmap. I do think that constructing mindmaps is a good way to get our students to elaborate on concepts, literature, characters, an a variety of other information. I would incorporate mindmap building in a class discussion where we would brainstorm ideas while I would create a mindmap for everyone using their ideas.

My mindmap made on examtime