Journal of Advances in Education and Philosophy Abbreviated Key Title: J Adv Educ Philos ISSN 2523-2665 (Print) |ISSN 2523-2223 (Online) Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Journal homepage: https://saudijournals.com/jaep

Review Article

Digital Mind Mapping : A New Horizon in the Modern Teaching- Learning Strategy Dipak Bhattacharya1*, Ramakanta Mohalik2

1Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Education, Regional Institute of Education, NCERT, Bhubaneswar, India 2Professor, Department of Education, Regional Institute of Education, NCERT, Bhubaneswar, India

DOI: 10.36348/jaep.2020.v04i10.001 | Received: 22.09.2020 | Accepted: 30.09.2020 | Published: 03.10.2020

*Corresponding author: Dipak Bhattacharya

Abstract

Digital mind mapping is a unique method which improves productivity by helping to build and analyze ideas, and facilitates information structuring and retrieval. Educators and learners can use different types of software to create digital for teaching learning. The objectives of the paper are: to describe about different types of software used in creating digital mind maps; to highlight the process of digital mind map development through software and to provide an overview of benefits and usefulness of digital mind mapping software. It’s a review-based study. Articles published in various leading journals, conference proceedings, online materials have been referred in the present article. The first part of the paper describes concept of digital mind mapping software. Second part of the paper provides a brief description about different software used in creating digital mind maps. The third part of the article explains about the process of digital mind map creation through software. The last part of the paper elaborates benefits and usefulness of digital mind mapping software. It reveals that digital mind mapping software can be used by institutions/teachers/students for teaching and learning as it simplifies the information easily for better understanding. The article points out that digital mind mapping software gives learners the ability to engage directly in the learning process by developing digital mind maps. The paper also indicates that digital mind mapping software can be used as tool to construct visual of ideas. The paper would be great use for educators as well as students for teaching, learning and assessment at different levels of education. Keywords: Digital Mind Mapping Software, Teaching-Learning Strategy, Process, Benefits, Usefulness. Copyright @ 2020: This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution license which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use (NonCommercial, or CC-BY-NC) provided the original author and sources are credited.

NTRODUCTION digital mind maps branches of ideas automatically I originate from centre part of the screen [4]. Digital Digital Mind mapping is a method of teaching mind mapping software is used to construct diagrams of and learning, used to organize knowledge and concepts connections between thoughts, ideas or other in a simple way to grasp and contextualize the ideas. knowledge. In contrast to traditional note-making, the Digital mind maps display the links between ideas, software of mind maps can enhance learning and study words and information through the combination of text performance. As a learning tool, digital mind mapping and graphics. It can be utilized at all levels of education software helps learners to express their ideas visually. It and has proved to be appropriate learning resources for can also transform boring concepts and ideas into talented and disadvantaged students. Adult learners can colourful, exciting and impressive flowcharts [5]. able to make a connection between learned facts and newly obtained information through digital This paper describes different types of mind mapping [1]. Basically mind maps are developed software used in digital mind mapping strategy, through paper and pen. Recently computerized versions highlight the process of digital mind map development of mind maps became popular which also increased through software and provide an overview of benefits learners’ of interest in creating mind maps [2, 3]. and usefulness of digital mind mapping software. So, it can be said that there are two types of mind maps. First one is traditional mind map which is developed on paper or board by hand. Another one is digital mind map which is developed on computer, mobile or other electronic devices through appropriate software. In © 2020 |Published by Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 400

Dipak Bhattacharya & Ramakanta Mohalik., J Adv Educ Philos, October, 2020; 4(10): 400-406 Concept of Digital Mind Mapping Software It reflects on the easy and efficient use of the Digital mind mapping is an effective tools in general. imaginative practice to formulate thoughts and (iv) Mindmup: Mindmup is a kind of free and connections. Usually, digital mind maps are created in a open source software written in JavaScript and blank electronic page. Digital mind map has lots of can run in HTML5 browsers. The idea maps advantages: it is easier, portable and not limited to the and statement maps can also be developed by scale of the document, simple to save and share with Mindmup. It helps us to build and store friends [6]. Digital mind mapping software compiles unlimited maps in online. The software adds our thoughts and ideas directly to something organized descriptive details and pictures automatically. and tangible manner which is quite common in today's (v) : Coggle is a real-time collaborative world. Digital mind mapping software is now used by and free digital mind mapping tool invented by everyone. Doctors, professors, graduates, attorneys, three graduates (James Crosby, James nurses, businessmen and others are using software Ogborne, and John Pritchard) of Cambridge related to digital mind map, because digital mind maps University in 2013. It’s a web based mind can be developed quickly through software [7, 8]. mapper which produces hierarchically organised documents. This compares with Different Software Used in Digital Mind Mapping many other collaboration apps, such as Google Strategy Docs, that can have a or text file. Digital mind mapping software is designed to It helps us to produce beautiful notes rapidly reflect the connections between thoughts and ideas and efficiently. graphically. Digital mind mapping software is a system (vi) TheBrain: It’s a digital mind mapping of visual learning that allows us to evaluate, synthesize, tool developed by TheBrain Technologies. It remember and successfully create fresh ideas. The brief was launched in 2018. There is a hierarchical descriptions of some best software used in digital mind interface used to chart the relationships in the mapping strategy are given below [9-14]: network. It helps us to gather essential (i) XMind: This digital mind mapping information. software was developed by XMind limited in (vii) Venngage: Venngage is an open source China. It is available in both free and digital mind mapping software that helps to professional version. It was first released on visualize any subject with various stages, 2007 for commercial purpose. It was nodes or sub-sections. Here we can choose a considered as most famous digital mind font which is both readable and aesthetically mapping software on Lifehacker in 2013. It is pleasing. It provides professionally constructed a combined brainstorming and digital mind templates for mind maps that are simple to mapping platform. It has the purpose of make. creating ideas. Tree maps, fishbone map, (viii) Drakonhub: DrakonHub is an online cards, etc. are provided through this system. tool for the development of simple flowcharts, Xmind allows us to view the graphics checklists and mind maps. It is designed to everywhere. create virtual business processes for company (ii) Mindjet: Mindjet is a popular commercial owners, administrators and app developers. digital mind mapping software first developed Tablet and real-time editing is provided by by Mike and Bettina Jetter in 1998. It’s DrakonHub. It complies with ergonomic headquarter is in the San Francisco, USA. This criteria that remove visible noise diagrams. software helps us to plan, operate and handle Dissect the representation in the of our ideas. Mindjet gives us the ability to build an entity, object or human into separate and operationalize an ambitious system by conceptual components. It allows us to make way of mind modeling, big-data research, and precise and standard mind maps. play dynamics. It helps us to gather knowledge (ix) Mindmeister: MindMeister is a platform and insight easily. It allows us the ability to for the imagining, communication and incorporate knowledge into a single interpretation of ideas. This interactive dashboard. programme provides users with amazing (iii) : It’s a freemium digital mind graphic tools for brainstorming, recording, mapping software developed by Expert making project schedules, and executing other Software Applications. Initially it was released activities online. MindMeister helps us to in 2007. Mindomo utilizes different features to communicate and interact in real time with as improve information analysis, description and many people as we want. It has an integrated comprehension. It uses high-density graphics, viewing mode to render mind maps interactive visual and audio aids, multi-level numeration, slideshows in less time. It combines both a comments and votes on subjects, spell search, community project management framework touch importation and map exportation. The and an intuitive online mission. People can connectivity method can also be applied here.

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Dipak Bhattacharya & Ramakanta Mohalik., J Adv Educ Philos, October, 2020; 4(10): 400-406 work together in different ways and in real way for a team to collect, tracks, and arrange time solving problems. user stories, schedule scripts and reflect. It (x) Padlet: Padlet is a digital mind mapping offers creative drawing in real time. The software which exchange ideas and allow platform is packed with a limitless immersive people to collaborate. It is an easy to read whiteboard for all visual activities such as method to create stunning screens, fabrics and agile planning, project management and the web pages. It allows users to add content, . More than 20 applications are feedback and make real-time improvements. embedded, including InVision, , We can add images, letters, web links, videos Slack, Google Drive, and more. and music in this software. We may choose a (xvi) : Lucidchart is a HTML-5 designed template or choose a blank template. based mind mapping tool which provides real We can also share our padlet with friends, time collaboration. We can construct a simple colleagues and relatives. with complicated technical diagrams. (xi) Bubbl.us: Bubbl.us is a framework for It operates on an HTML5 browser. No third- collaborative brainstorming. This browser- party applications need to be modified. It runs based platform can be used for the preparation on every computer on different platforms. We and coordination of projects. It is a completely can attach live information to our diagrams or web-based application. It saves our digital map import data in order to create organisational as an image. A colourful and beautiful mind charts automatically. It is easily combined with map can be developed by using this software MS office, G suite, Atlassian office, etc. which helps us to better understand the (xvii) Cacoo: Cacoo is a web-based digital content. mind mapping tool helps to build flowcharts, (xii) Ayoa: Ayoa is a platform to build the tables, mind maps, and . It helps users concept with others. It is a digital mind to add their ideas to pictures, details, mapping tool which enables individuals and comments, or diagrams. Here some readymade teams to easily construct unique mind maps. It templates are available to draw diagrams. helps us to change the branches and (xviii) FreeMind: FreeMind is a free mind connectors' appearance. Here we can connect mapping software that allows people the files and pictures to the divisions directly. It opportunity to arrange thoughts on a webpage. allows us to convert our ideas into activities. FreeMind's features like scads of icons, and We can connect divisions with emoji reactions. colour for formatting options, support It provides a way to arrange the chart by hyperlinks allow users to bind web pages, and arranging division groups. documents to a map, and users can export in (xiii) Smartdraw: SmartDraw is a digital various formats including HTML, PDF, and mind mapping tool for the development and JPEG. This software provides quicker arrangement of flowcharts, maps and charts. operation and navigation with its one-click. The platform is used to record operations, (xix) Edraw Mind Map: Edraw Mind Map is coordinate strategy plans and programmes by a kind of software that can be used for free organizations and businesses. SmartDraw is mind mapping. Here user can construct mind simpler to use than the G Suite and maps or graphs with the ability to use their Office’s standard drawing tools. It can be examples and models. It also helps to generate worked on any device or phone. We can create thoughts, communicate and link complicated graphic and scheme diagrams with this details and exchange knowledge with the user. programme. More than 4,000 templates are It is fastest diagram development software. It included in the package. offers numerous items and tools for making (xiv) Visio: is kind of mind maps or diagrams of all sorts, storming software helps to create simple and thoughts, linking and associating abstract complicated diagrams as per our needs. Visio knowledge and exchanging information. also helps us to construct comprehensive (xx) Docear: Docear is an open source digital maps, mind maps, levels, pivot tables, etc. mind mapping tool used for the production of Visio delivers the opportunity to conveniently notes, charts, maps and the preservation of build a variety of corporate technical tools for records and papers all in one place. It enables . The platform helps us to access our literature to be organised using comments and knowledge in a perfect way. Visio online notes instead of documents themselves. It interface allows us to work with schemes from enables us to write papers, assignments and any . It promotes the development recommends free web-based documentation. It of various diagrammatic structures. allows us to create notices and mind maps, (xv) Miro: Miro is a digital mind mapping store and create documents and journals, and software that enables teams to centralize cross- to download free books. functional coordination. Miro is a fast and easy

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Dipak Bhattacharya & Ramakanta Mohalik., J Adv Educ Philos, October, 2020; 4(10): 400-406 (xxi) : Freeplane is the free and that helps us to catch ideas, to organise, to open source software that generates and create, to gather knowledge in a single hub, to analyses mind maps. Freeplane is running on play with our opinions, to implement them, to every version of any . make ideas a reality. Freeplane can be accessed locally in our (xxvi) MindMapper: Mind mapper is a kind computer, as an open source mind mapper of flexible project management software with programme, or we can execute it through a interactive dashboard and planner. The key USB device if we don't want to download it. functions of this software are concepts, The key focus is the root node, sub-subjects knowledge mapping and organization, and are referred to as child nodes, and wider schedules. It can help us to be more efficient, subjects are known as free nodes. It structures innovative and effective with our plans by information nodes like text, symbol, algorithm, combining the three usability components. calculation, etc. This software can help us to create (xxii) WiseMapping: It is also a free and open information, analyze and interpret knowledge source mind mapping tool which can be used or concepts from a range of viewpoints. to render embedded mind maps by people, (xxvii) Novamind: It’s a mapping software experts, organizations and educators. It can enabling users to imagine and coordinate their now be installed and licensed on our local plans through innovative production and servers. The software is Java based and offers brainstorming in order to coordinate, recall, both a public and a private workspace. Users exchange and carry out plans. Novamind is a will have different mind maps and shared platform that helps users to arrange their ideas maps with teams. It supports Windows, , and thoughts easily by placing them in an Mac and is also available in online (in the immersive visual map. It helps them to cloud version). It can also be downloaded in brainstorm and coordinate the specifics of their online. The chart history can be restored to proposals and give them a detailed summary. display all past updates. The layout, formats (xxviii) GitMind: GitMind is an online tool and background style can be changed. It can for free mind maps. It enables us to imagine dramatically introduce and extend branches in complex issues, to develop new theories, to list different formats. goals for assignments and to deliver an (xxiii) : Mind42 is the online project introduction. It helps us to assign a work management software designed to build mind objectively. It contains an integrated toolbar. It maps that can freely notify the computer about helps us to create a mind map with keyboard the layout of a diagram. It is free, but shortcuts. advertising is allowed. We can share our mind (xxix) Creately: It’s an online browser based maps with many people worldwide. It's private mind mapping software. It has a library of by nature. With the validated mind mapping thousands templates with the most process it allows us to imagine our thoughts. comprehensive mind mapping architecture. It (xxiv) MindGenius: MindGenius is a realistic was developed to help teams not only to catch project management platform designed for and coordinate ideas, but also to improve individuals who want to boost the productivity them. It also provides mouse tracking and of their life, team and company. MindGenius export diagrams, including PNG, JPEG, PDF helps us to compile, imagine and translate and SVG, in real-time. Slack and Confluence concepts quickly into actionable projects and can be integrated in this digital mind mapping activities, which allow us to prepare and software. prepare and handle all tasks relating to (xxx) Mindly: It is one of the best projects. Here we can creatively appealingly representations of digital mind maps. It is a arrange our thoughts with a variety of colours special mind mapping tool that organizes the and pictures from the image library. The thoughts into an easy to use hierarchical software has a set of visual models so that we structure. It captures our ideas and easily can brainstorm and execute our ideas faster reviews them, schedule our projects and use than from a blank canvas. our planning organisations. The Mindly (xxv) iMindMap: iMindMap is a software have designed a method comprehensive mind mapping software that deliberately without needing much typing, has an organic mind map view, a specific free- coding or specification modification. It draws form imagination view, a quick-capture view our inventions. This software for mind with a new time map view and a new branch mapping is available on iOS, Linux and Mac drawing feature. The choices for iMindMap10 and has a free package with many basic are infinite. The graphic task management features. application drop task can be combined with (xxxi) : Microsoft Word is iMindMap. This iMindMap is a workspace popularly used free and open source software

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Dipak Bhattacharya & Ramakanta Mohalik., J Adv Educ Philos, October, 2020; 4(10): 400-406 for the development of digital mind maps. This can vary according to the personal interests, resources is more versatile than pen and paper. It can be and projects. There is no "one way" to construct the quickly changed by inserting or rearranging digital mind map, so if we use technology to build a the subjects. We can copy it to the other Office diagram, we have to follow a systematic process. programmes and print it out if necessary. Step-1: Start with a blank screen. PowerPoint or e-mail sharing options are also Step-2: Fill the central idea or theme with the included. central node. Write the brainstorming theme in the middle. There are also some other digital mind Step-3: Brainstorm sub-ideas or linked ideas, mapping like Semantik, , adding them to the screen. Write brainstormed MindView, iMindQ, Openmind, ConceptDraw ideas / reflections on branches originating from the MindMap and others used to prepare digital mind maps. middle. Step-4: Draw lines for the association between How to Create a Digital Mind Map through ideas and sub-ideas. Drag and drop the elements in Software: the diagram to reorganize our thoughts. Apply Digital mind mapping is a teaching-learning more facts to each sub-idea. We can continue to strategy for recording the free flow of ideas and is add more information in our digital mind map until commonly used to explore the topics. It may also be we are adequate. used for the arrangement and aggregation of Step-5: Use formatting tools to visually coordinate information on a topic. Because digital mind mapping is and represent the ideas like modify colours, shape, an imaginative activity, a digital mind mapping strategy size, and add icons and pictures, etc.

Fig-1: Steps to Create a Digital Mind Map through Software

Fig-2: Digital Mind Map Source: Creately (Digital Mind Mapping Software) https://app.creately.com/diagram/axPiPKzaipZ/edit

Benefits of Digital Mind Mapping Software: using digital mind mapping software has several Digital mind maps are excellent instruments benefits, such as [15, 16]: for interpreting and transmitting thoughts, because  Software for digital mental mapping can be human beings can easily interpret visual knowledge. used in institutions for studying and writing Although we can construct mind maps on papers, but across the curriculum. It helps to simplify the information easily.

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Dipak Bhattacharya & Ramakanta Mohalik., J Adv Educ Philos, October, 2020; 4(10): 400-406  It encourages knowledge to be visualized or comprehensive ideas for their better conceptual viewed easier to understand by splitting larger understanding. or more challenging concepts or theories into smaller and simpler items. REFERENCES  It gives learners the ability to engage directly 1. Mani, A. (2011). Effectiveness of digital mind in the learning process by developing digital mapping over paper-based mind mapping on mind maps. students’ academic achievement in environmental  It contributes to the development of cognitive science. In T. Bastiaens & M. Ebner (Eds.), skills such as brainstorming, analytical and Proceedings of ED-MEDIA 2011--World imaginative thinking, categorization and Conference on Educational Multimedia, concentration on content, reflection etc. Hypermedia & Telecommunications (pp. 1116-  It helps to retrieve past knowledge and easily 1121). Lisbon, Portugal: Association for the link it to new learning. Advancement of Computing in Education  It encourages self-learning. Students can (AACE). Retrieved July 20, 2020 from educate themselves with a lesson even more https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/38011/ effectively by the use of interactive digital 2. Sabbah, S. (2015). The effect of college students' mind maps for note taking, interpretation, self-generated computerized mind mapping on learning, etc. their reading achievement. International Journal  It is flexible. By clicking and dragging, we can of Education and Development using Information quickly reorganize thoughts. and Communication Technology, 11(3), 4-36.  Software allows us to construct mind map Retrieved May 20, 2020 from digitally. Here, several people together can https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1086649.pdf. work on the same mind map. 3. Elzaaby, R. (2013). Studying English language  We can use the tools to create quality and its relation to students and teachers of the diagrams that we can easily share and English language and their attitudes towards represent. learning English. The Jordanian Journal of Educational Sciences, 9(2), 221-241. Usefulness of Digital Mind Mapping Software: 4. Abbaspour, B. N., Rastgoo, V., Fathi, N., & Yek, Digital mind mapping software is a Z. M. (2019). The use of mindomo software to brainstorming tool that helps us to construct visual improve the logical development of EFL learners’ diagrams of our ideas. With the help of digital mind writing. International Journal of Innovation, map we can construct an idea map, a design map that Creativity and Change, 8(12), 238-252. demonstrates the structure and relationships between https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a759/11d0fdcf7c3 ideas. Digital mind mapping strategy requires basic d51ab4da005b1649a9da63845.?_ga=2.255740 brainstorming software and complicated display and 232.1742113125.1588614738-1563454339.1587 diagramming tools. The usefulness of digital mind 043695 mapping software is given below [17]: 5. Aljaser, A. M. (2017). The effectiveness of  Brainstorming: Build mind maps – arrange electronic mind maps in developing academic thoughts visually and show them. achievement and the attitude towards learning  Diagramming: Build engineering graphs, English among primary school conceptual diagrams, construction plans, org students. International Education Studies, 10(12), graphs, network diagrams, and other technical 80-95. Retrieved August 11, 2020 from diagrams. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1164128.pdf 6. Myre, M. (2020). The best mind mapping software  Software development and : Build in 2020. Retrieved July 07, 2020 from site map diagrams and wireframes. https://zapier.com/blog/best-mind-mapping-  Business Intelligence: Import and show software/ interactive information in tables, graphs etc. 7. Mammen, J. R., & Mammen, C. R. (2018). from market applications. Beyond concept analysis: Uses of mind mapping

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