Share Ideas & Opinions: MindMeister (mind mapping)

MindMeister App

Name of App:  MindMeister

Link: App Website 

Rating: 4.5

Cost: App Free, but online subscription payment plan needed 

Age Group: All ages, need credit/debit card & email for web subscription 

Description:  Based in Germany, MeisterLabs was founded in 2006 by Michael Hillaut and Till Vollmer and is the company that runs behind MindMeister. Their aim is to allow users to keep up with the increasingly connective nature of our environment by creating mediums that are user friendly and interactive. The website allows you to create, share, present, and collaborate your thoughts and ideas through personalized mind maps. You are able to label and organize your completed maps and/or the ones you are working on and then access them from the website or the application itself. It is a great tool to help organize your thoughts and prioritize ideas so there is a clear, strong connection by the time you are finished creating your mind map. You do not have to set up your subscription online, however a subscription/account is necessary so you would have to create it through your app. Your subscription can be synced to your online account, so if you are working on a mind map from your iPhone/iPad it will save and sync to your online account. 

Supporting Instructional Strategy in Social Studies: This is a great app/website for all subject areas because it allows you to create your own mind map, collaborate with others, share your ideas, and present/send them to others in multiple ways (email, pdf, presentation, etc...). For a Social Studies classroom, this is a great way to present information to the students and show the connections and concepts that are found in the subject area. Students can also create their own maps and share them with everyone. You can also use it as a way to keep the class connected and working together because the app/website allows for you to combine mind maps and edit them into a final collaborative piece. For example, each student (or group of students) could be assigned a war in history from various time periods and areas on the globe. Students then work to create their assigned mind map and then collaborate with the other groups to form the connections. The teacher can then have the students present the final project and act as "teacher" for their section. 

Potential problems in the classroom: There are a few potential issues that may occur in the classroom when using this app/web. First would be the subscription plan which for some may not be appealing. HOWEVER there is a free 30 day trial so if you decided to have students create/use the app there is a window for that. Also the cost is relatively low and there are a variety of subscription plans to choose from to best fit your needs. Click here to view pricing plans.  Another potential problem would be getting accustomed to the app/website and having the technology necessary to display/use your maps in the classroom. Lastly, if/when you use it in the classroom and your students are also involved (meaning they are to create a mind map using the app/web) you will have to take the time to teach them how it works and how to navigate through it. 

Accessibility: MindMeister is available online or in the App store which gives you multiple ways to use it for personal use, teaching, and the classroom. There are also many 'help' tools, including tutorials and Support/Resource links

 Personalization: MindMeister allows you to create, edit, and customize your own mind maps. You can use a variety of colors and images in your maps to help you make connections, keep organized, and make them visually appealing. You are able to label and organize your maps with folders and file names for easy access whenever you need. 

Collaborate:  When using the site/app you are required to create an account, creating a user name and password for yourself so you can access your work anywhere. You and any other individuals who have an account are able to collaborate your maps, giving the opportunity to share/compare ideas and edit each others work in real time.

Presentations: You can present your map wireless by accessing it on your iPhone/iPad and connect to an Apple TV so it will be displayed on screen. There is also the option of presenting your map  through the MindMeister itself, you simply have your collaborators, or whom ever you would like to share your map with, access the website and broadcast your work to the group.  You can also easily share your work/knowledge on with followers on blogs or websites by embedding an interactive mind map

Website: MindMeister provides a website for easy access and guidance when navigating your maps. It also provides assistance and instructions for its users as well as video tutorials for those who prefer and visual reference. Through the website you can also broadcast your mind map presentation or collaborate with others in real time (also function on app)