XMind

XMind

XMind is another piece of open source concept mapping software. It is very easy to use and facilitates very rapid map building. The user can double click on any box to label it, and hitting tab will create a subtopic from the highlighted box. Boxes can be dragged anywhere, allowing for easy rearrangement. Users can also sign in to Xmind.net to share concept maps with others. Although there are many pieces of software that allow users to create concept maps, there are two features that set XMind apart. First, Xmind automatically outlines the information contained in the concept map. This means that the program automatically provides two different ways of learning: students who are visual learners and students who learn better by reading words can both play to their strengths, with no extra effort for the teacher creating the map. Second, the program allows you to mark boxes according to their priority or order in which you'd like to present them. It also contains markers to indicate items that have been completed, paused, or need to be flagged.

It is free to download and requires no registration. The upgrade to XMind Pro, however, would cost $49 per year. As discussed for the FreeMind software, XMind could be useful for students anywhere in all grade levels. Concept mapping can be used to brainstorm and to assess student understanding in any classroom. It is a great way for students to collaborate on a project, as well.

XMind, like Free Mind, supports metacognition in that students who can create a concept map (outside of brainstorming) are demonstrating to themselves that they understand material. If a student attempts to do so and finds that he or she is unable to determine how concepts are related to one another or what connections should be made, then use of the program has indicated to that student that he or she may need to approach the topic in another way in order to ensure comprehension.

Below is a concept map I created with XMind for topics that could be discussed in a water unit in an integrated science classroom: