Sarah+Dennewitz+-+Bubbl.us+(Mind-Mapping+Tool)


 * What:** Bubbl.us: Brainstorming Made Easy (Mind Mapping/Organizing Tool)

**Web address:** []

**Student’s Name:** Sarah Dennewitz

**Grade level(s):** K-University: depending on how you want to use this tool, it could be useful to all.

**Content area(s):** Any content area that has students brainstorm, organize, and group ideas.

**Abstract:** This resource is a free mind mapping tool that allows users to brainstorm, organize, and group ideas. This tools allows any user to create a mind-map using various shapes, colors, and connectors. Once the user has completed his / her mind-map, there are many options to share, save, and export. For example: the user can create a folder to save the project into for later use; the user can export the mind-map as a JPG image or PNG image to upload elsewhere; also, the user can share the mind-map with others using the sharing features within the program. Using Bubbl.us gives students an online space to organize and share their brainstorming ideas with others. Teachers in many content areas can make this tool applicable to students, as well as their colleagues. In a professional setting, Bubbl.us can give teachers the opportunity to share mind-maps or brainstorms of upcoming curriculum, unit plans, etc. - allowing for ease of collaboration.

**Personal Experience:** As a high school English teacher, I have used this program in a few different ways and am still finding more! In my classroom, Bubbl.us has allowed students to create a mind-map for a writing assignment - acting as a graphic organizer; students were then required to print off the actual mind-map and include it into their final draft. I have also used Bubbl.us as a character mapping tool to track character’s actions, motives, and changes over the course of a piece of literature. On a scale of 1-10 (10=high), I'd give this a 9 because of the constraint of irregular saving. I have had maps disappear on few students; therefore, the export tool in the program is very helpful allowing students to print their work just in case.