Week 6 - Reflection 5: Digital Tool: Animations and Simulations

Group 4 Tools - Online Concept mapping

Bubbl.us Features:

 Bubble-us is a free online mind mapping tool that allows users to create colorful mind maps and even collaborate on a document. The interface is easy to use and includes several basic options. Maps can also be printed, emailed, downloaded as a graphic, or embedded into a website. This activity allows students to hone their skills for organizing and mapping ideas and collaborating with others. 

The website can be used in many different ways:

• Brainstorm ideas
• Build a family tree
• Create flow charts
• Create handouts
• Presentations
• Notes 
• Organizing work

This is an example of Bubbl.us in the classroom.

Classroom Integration Ideas:

Bubbl.us can be used in numerous ways to organize ideas. Students can also use the tool to...

• organize writing ideas
• map story elements
• graphically organize notes on a topic
• brainstorm group project assignments
• flowcart style mapping of steps to solve a problem
• science processes, such as the water cycle or rock cycle
• list simple machines as a sort
• map parts of speech

Bubbl.us allows users to create without the use of paper and pen. You can easily develop a chart and change the look and content with a click of the mouse. By using this website you can save time, supplies, and money.

SAMR Model of Bubbl.us intergration in the classroom

Redefinition  Technology allows for creation of new tasks, previously inconceivable	Students collaborate to make a concept map using an interactive whiteboard
Modification  Technology allows for significant task redesign	A collaborative version of mapping could be implemented as a note taking process.
Augmentation    Technology acts as a direct tool substitute, with  functional improvement.	Concept mapping using pictures           sourced by students as well          as text typed in by them into the          bubbl.us map
Substitution  Technology acts as a direct tool substitute, with no functional change.	Mind map using Bubbl.us is used as a substitue for pen and paper concept mapping with the teacher using the software in a class based discussion.

This is an example of a concept map I used in a presentation at University last week: