Mind mapping – a more ‘refined’ form of Brainstorming?

photo credit: 10ch

I remember how back in the day, during writing and composition classes, we learned how to ‘brainstorm.’ We started out in the center of our page with one subject/word with a box around it, and then drawing long and short lines around the object we’d connect the word with synaptic fibers of related meaning. This new web of ideas brought the previous subject to life, and possibilities for new angles, storylines and other cerebral ventures were never the same.

Then we grew up and found word processing, hyper text, hyper links, hyper-everything. Everything seemed so much faster and easier.

But we know that all humans (not just men) are visual animals. Despite the smart, sleek and savvy ways hypertext can teleport the viewer from one idea to the next, it doesn’t beat the need for flowcharts, graphs, and mind mapping tools. The good news is that with the hybrid of both hyper and visual elements, combined with the collaborative connectivity potential of the internet, we get everything in one online application.

Sure, mind-mapping sounds a bit more civilized, but it’s essentially brainstorming that’s easier to navigate. I was inspired to include this list of resources upon reading PBS MediaShift’s Roland Legrand’s post about different ways mind-mapping tools can be used in the newsroom (thanks Bob). Aside from story ideas, these mind-mapping tools have huge cross-networking and idea development applications for team brainstorms, program and campaign planning, client collaboration, due diligence checking, and the list goes on. Online timelines allow for chronological listings of campaign elements, project updates, links to sites, etc. for a more visual diary or blog. Pie charts make it easier for clients to view where their money went, or to map page impressions and other quantifiable data.

Below is a mashup of a variety of bookmarks, but special thanks goes to WebTools4u2use at Wikispaces.

Gliffy Draw, share and edit flow charts, diagrams, technical drawings.
Scriblink An online collaborative whiteboard
Thinkature Collaborative whiteboard with chat
Twiddla Team whiteboarding and virtual meeting
Best4C Online diagram tool that allows you to create, edit and share charts
ChartAll Easy to generate graphs of all kinds
Chart Tool Generate graphs, flowcharts, bar charts, pie charts, line charts, bubble charts and radar plots.
DrawAnywhere Generate flow charts, organizational charts and diagrams online.
FlowChart.com A collabortive flowchart creation tool.
Graphic Organizers Generate custom designed graphic organizers
LovelyCharts Drag and drop diagramming tool
LucidChart Collaborative flow chart tool. Most recent version is always published.
NYTimes Visualization Lab “create visual representations of data and information using data from today’s news.”
Swivel Upload and explore data through charts and graphs
Tablefy Create charts to help collect and compare data. Cells can contain images, sounds, video, text, etc. Publish online or embed in your own webpage. Search through tables others have created as well.
Verifiable “Turn any set of numbers into an explanatory picture.”
Bubble.us Create notes and create mindmaps online. Collaborative tool.
CoMapping
DropMind
Exploratree a free web resource where you can download, use and make your own interactive thinking guides.
FreeMind Open source mind mapping software written in Java
Glinkr Collaborative mindmapping tool.
IMindi
MeadMap Organize, take notes, diagram, collaborate on research
Mind42 (mind for two) Collaborative mindmapper
Mindmanager Web
MindMeister A collaborative online mindmapping tool. (one of top five)
Mindomo Another collaborative online mindmapping tool
ReadWriteThink Webbing Tool Find lesson plans for using this tool here .
Spinscape
Text2Mindmap
WebofWeb
Webspiration Web-based collaborative tool that integrates outline and diagram formats–from the people who make Inspiration and Kidspiration
WikiMindMap Map relationships between wikipedia terms–good research starter
Wisdomaps “A wisdomap has three ares: a mind map, articles and resources. Combining these areas creates a powerful format to organise information in an uncluttered way.” Up to 3 maps free.
WiseMapping Online mindmaping tools
Capzles An interactive multimedia timeline builder: videos, mp3s, blogs, photos; then share and see what others have created.
CircaVie Build a timeline with your own photos, videos, text…and then share, rate and comment! Or view those created by others.
Free Timeline Generate a timeline and embed it in report or webpage
Make Your Own TImeline SImple timeline generator for elementary students
MnemoGraph Timelining tool
OurStory Save images, stories, videos in a collaborative timeline and then share online.
OurTImeLines Personalized timeline generator
Simile Powerful timeline generator
ThisMoment.com A combination slide show, video sharing site, photo sharing site, timeline, blogging, scraobook and map mashup.
Timeline Explore, create, share and discuss timelines
TimeRime Make and/or explore timelines using visuals, text and more.
TimeToast Create timelines. Share them on the web
Archimy Generate 3D graphs online.
ChartAll Easy to generate graphs of all kinds
Char tTool Design and share your own graphs online and for free. Supports a number of different chart types like: bar charts, pie charts, line charts, bubble charts and radar plots.
CrappyGraphs Create line graphs and Venn Diagrams that tell your story. Review examples others have created and post yours online.
Create-A-Graph and Create-A-Graph Classic from the National Center for Educational Statistics offer tutorials and five different kinds of graph and chart makers for kids. (one of top five)
eTutor Graphing Calculator
Fooplot Online graphing calculator
GraphJam Create any kind of graph. Examples will get your creative juices going and tickle your funny bone, too. Similar to CrappyGraphs.
Holhi Line graphs, pie graphs, scatter plots, Venn diagrams, and more.
Many Eyes a tool for visualizing data; ” visualizations provided on Many Eyes range from the ordinary to the experimental.”
Pie Charts Quick and easy pie charts – 2 or 3D
Swivel Upload and explore data through charts and graphs