Free+Mind

// **FreeMind** // // **http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page** //

FreeMind is a program that allows one to create concept maps. It is very easy to operate and would be useful for both teachers and students. Teachers, for example, could use it to create concept maps to illustrate how various lessons relate to one another within a unit. In fact, the program would be a great way to save digital lesson plans in a flow chart/concept map form. It could also be used as an assignment for students, designed to evaluate their understanding of concepts and relationships discussed in class, or as a simple brainstorming tool.

It is free to download and poses no registration issues. It is very user-friendly. I believe that FreeMind is applicable to all educational content: it can be used to map a progression of math formulas, essay structure in english or history classes, and a tree of life or food chain, among countless other possibilities. Overall, it would have great value at the end of each unit of instruction as a summary and/or evaluation tool, or at the beginning of a project in the brainstorming process.

A student's ability, or lackthereof, to create a mindmap of concepts is inherently an indication to that student of his or her understanding. Therefore, this program promotes metacognition by bringing to light the user's knowledge. A student will know that he or she has completely grasped the necessary information if he or she can organize it logically in a visual way.

Below is a FreeMind map I created that depicts the upper levels of taxonomy of living organisms. 