WIKI NETS 3 & 5

a. Describe your tool and tell us what it does.Bubbl.us is a simple and free web application that lets you brainstorm online. It enables you to: create colorful mind maps online, share and work with your friends, embed your mind map in your blog or website, email and print your mind map, save your mind map as an image, and it is completely free!
b. How might it be used with a particular age or grade level? I could see this tool being used with any grade level that has basic knowledge of computers. Being able to locate the site and type are essential. A basic knowledge is the only thing required as well as internet service. It can be used to organized ideas and collaborate and share.
c. Give an example of a project for that age or grade level group. If I were to use Bubbl.us for my highschool students I perhaps would have them organize their essay ideas. Brainstorming is key to the writing process and with an organized idea map the bubbl.us provides, they could efficiently choose a essay topic. I might also use this for them to organize their notes. By creating my own bubbl.us online and giving each student a hardcopy or digital copy, they can visualize things such as the complexity or the Tudor Court or the Roman and Greek Gods.
d. Provide a sample of what you did with this tool.
e.What might be some considerations when using this tool? A reliable internet connection is essential in using this tool. Programs such as inspiration do not require the internet and are programs ran just on your computer. Bubbl.us being a FREE online tool does require the user to be online so they can create share and embed their mind maps. Not every student has internet access at home so classroom and lab time must be offered.
f. Recommendations: is this a tool you would use or recommend for classroom use? I would recommend this if an educator was looking to minimize cost and use a free tool in the classroom. The program inspiration is a great tool but they only offer a 30 day free trial. Bubbl.us on the other hand is free as long as there is internet access. It is efficient enough to create a decent mind map and offers many different options for creativity.

My Wiki page is about an educational tool called Bubbl.us. It is a free online mapping tool where students and teachers alike can create and organize there thoughts and also share and collaborate with others. It is a cool way for students to enjoy the benefits of a free program. I created my own Bubbl.us about the assignments for my 422 class and it can be used for many different mind mapping techniques.