Sep 15, 2018 - Explore Hillary's board 'Winter Project Brainstorming' on Pinterest. See more ideas about Winter project, Brainstorming, Coffee shop decor. Brainstorming is a problem-solving technique that may be helpful in determining ideas for topics and/or speeches. It begins with spontaneous, random, nonjudgmental thoughts to generate a variety of potential ideas on a theme, topic, or idea. To brainstorm, think of one idea or concept, and let your mind begin to associate other words, concepts, and ideas to the first. You can create a mind map on paper, whiteboard or digitally, using visual mapping software such as FreeMind. To begin: write your topic in the centre of a blank page; associate your ideas freely anywhere on the page and do not filter out ideas. When you have run out of ideas: consider each item and determine how this point is. Brain Damage Lyrics: Scalpel / Here / Sponge / Here / Wait, he's convulsing, he's convulsing / Ahh / We're gonna have to shock him / Oh my God, oh my God / We're gonna have to shock him / Oh my God. Download and install the best free apps for Brainstorming and Mind-Mapping Software on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android from CNET Download.com, your trusted source for the top software picks.
How to Brainstorm with Mind Maps – Learn Easy Tricks
NancyWe all want a solution to tease out our ideas and learn concepts based on a usable format. Such a step is both important to our daily lives, educational assignments and business. Lists and paper notes can't always help, so what else should you try? Today we gonna see how to brainstorm with mind maps in the best mind map software.
What Is Brainstorming?
Brainstorming is popular both in professional and educational contexts, and it is a technique generated to assist teams in finding creative ideas in order to solve practical problems. It has already been proved by university researchers that the creative output of groups would be around 55% higher than that of individual members in terms of problem-solving productivity.
Mind map created by Edraw MindMaster
A typical brainstorming process usually includes the following key principles:
- Each brainstorming session should only focus on one particular problem;
- Participants are encouraged to point out as many ideas as possible;
- Don't judge others' ideas and welcome unusual ideas;
- Try to develop your own ideas based on others;
Why Should I Use Mind Maps for Brainstorming?
Mind maps have many great advantages for different fields of users in various industries and sectors. Normally, the main benefits of mind maps are:
- It is a productive way to visually organize your thoughts on one topic;
- You can freely use words, colors, images, and numbers to highlight ideas;
- It shows great flexibility and can help you explore more rooted relationships with different ideas or sub-topics;
When to Use Mind Maps for Brainstorming?
Actually, you can use mind maps for brainstorming in nearly all cases such as below:
- Reading assignments in school projects, especially when you are absorbing content;
- Product or website UI design, project management, business reporting, software testing and so on to help you prioritize project tasks;
How to Brainstorm with Mind Maps?
Recommended best practices for a productive brainstorming process are based on the following:
Step 1: Decide Your Central Topic
Open a blank mind map with the easy mind mapping software, click on the brainstorming feature and write down your main topic in the central place. Besides texts, your central topic could be in the form of an image or a question.
Step 2: Set Timer and Rules
Set the total time that you want to spend on the current brainstorming session, and some other reminders and rules.
Step 3: Collect Ideas
Encourage your teammates to freely point out potential ideas or ask questions to break down the central topic. The common way of doing so is to use the 5W1H method: what, who, when, where, why and how. Also, remember to tailor your list of questions to suit the task that you have been given.
Step 4: Identify Relationships to Organize Ideas
- Review your map when the current session expired. Find and highlight those important ones as branches in your map;
- Go through any other ideas to think about their inner relationships or gaps, which can be in many different types: similarity, contrast, cause and effect etc.
- Connect all these relationships between ideas by using lines, arrows, callouts, summaries, boundaries and more to arrange elements in a logical order;
Step 5: Present Your Result
Present and explain your findings with a laser pen/colored pencil in the full-screen mode, or you can try the slideshow function to auto-create slides based on your mind maps.
What Else Should I Consider?
- Don't be afraid if you are not a professional designer: It's totally OK to have a single-color mind map, or just a black and white style map. It's not mainly about creating an attractive theme, it's more about making easy-to-follow content.
- Be sure to share the final result of your team brainstorming to not only every participant in the activity but also staffs from other departments.
Conclusion
So far, we have discussed why, when and how to use brainstorming with mind maps in detailed and understandable steps. Now you can have a try to do your team project or assignment by using the handy mind mapping software. You may also surprise to find some other useful tips while doing brainstorming!
Mind mapping is the process of using visual diagrams to show the relationships between ideas or information. Its popular uses include project planning, collecting and organizing thoughts, brainstorming and presentations — all in order to help solve problems, map out resources and uncover new ideas.
It can be more useful than trying to keep track of our ideas by scribbling them on paper, and can aid in manipulating and generating concepts.
We've compiled a list of 24 mind mapping tools to help you organize, summarize and visualize information, with both free and paid versions available to suit any budget or requirement. The tools mentioned are either browser- or desktop-based, with a selection of mind mapping mobile apps at the end of the article for use on iOS and Android devices.
Is there a particular mind mapping tool you would recommend? If so, please share a link with our readers in the comments below.
1. Mindmeister
MindMeister was built to facilitate collaboration for mind mapping and brainstorming, with an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. You can collaborate in real time, discuss changes over live chat, exchange ideas and even view the change history of a mind map.
You can access projects via mobile devices as well as online and offline, safe in the knowledge that your data is stored securely with data encryption and daily monitoring. Since MindMeister is cloud-based, there is no need to install any software or worry about upgrades.
Price: Personal accounts start at $4.99 per month, going up to $14.99 for a business account.
2. iMindMap
http://vaovjks.xtgem.com/Blog/__xtblog_entry/19326624-istat-pro-mac-crack.-istat-menus-crack-for-mac#xt_blog. iMindMap was developed by Tony Buzan, who popularized the term 'mind maps,' and refined and formalized its diagramming process and guidelines.
iMindMap is designed to be visually stimulating, with curved branches, bright colors and sharp images to help unleash your creativity. You can take full control over your map with a customizable drawing experience, or let iMindMap create the whole map for you. There are freehand, styling and text options so you can create a unique project. It's simple to brainstorm, refine, plan and craft an animated presentation.
Price: Home and student edition is £49 (~$79); the Ultimate package is £149 (~$240).
3. SpiderScribe
SpiderScribe is an online mind mapping and brainstorming tool that lets you organize your ideas by connecting notes, files, and calendar events in freeform maps. You can create private or public maps and collaborate with others, as your maps are stored in the cloud and can be accessed anywhere.
You can combine a variety of media to create a stencil, and each stencil can be customized by changing colors, fonts, size and formats. Another particularly interesting feature of SpiderScribe is the ability to embed your mind maps on your website.
Price: Personal accounts are free, with Pro accounts at $5 per month and business accounts at $25 per month.
4. XMind
XMind is a useful open source mind mapping tool for clarifying thinking, managing complex information, organizing and brainstorming. You can gather ideas and craft them in a logical structure to help identify critical information, uncover patterns, relationships, priorities and trends.
For seamless collaboration, your mind map can be exported into a variety of formats, including PDF, TXT, HTML, PNG, JPEG and more. Along with a mind map structure, XMind also offers tree, logic and fishbone charts, with a built-in spell checker, search, encryption and even audio notes.
Price: Accounts range from free up to $79 per year.
5. Coggle
With Coggle you can brainstorm and produce beautiful notes or mind maps to share and collaborate with others. You can drag and drop images onto your diagrams, view the change history to keep track of edits and customize the colors within each project.
You can export your projects in PDF or PNG format, create private links, or share publicly on social media and add clickable links. Coggle supports Markdown and also works seamlessly on mobile devices.
Price: Free
6. Freemind
Freemind is an open source mind mapping tool built in Java, and is available for Windows, Mac and Linux. It has a wide variety of features, including location-based mind mapping, collaboration tools, restore session support and more.
It can be used to keep track of projects as a knowledge base, and as a powerful mind mapping tool for complex diagrams with numerous branches, including embedded links and multimedia. You can export your map as HTML, PDF, OpenDocument, SVG or PNG.
Price: Free
7. Text2MindMap
Text2MindMaps is a useful way of organizing your thoughts using a simple, online tool. It's easy to use — just type some text into the text area, use the tab key to indent text lines and click the Draw Mind Map button to see it evolve.
Each line of text is a separate node in the mind map, and there are options to style the map to suit your requirements. It features a number of keyboard shortcuts, and each map can be downloaded as a PDF or image, or even emailed to share with collaborators.
Price: Free
8. Popplet
Popplet is a mind mapping tool that is perfect for visually curating your ideas and brainstorms. You can visually record your ideas, inspirations and thoughts, as well as upload text, videos, images and draw on your canvas. United 3015.
For those working in teams, Popplet allows multiple devices to connect to the same project. Drop 2 5 1. You can create Popplet presentations, use high-resolution images, create embeds for websites and blogs, and include tags, keywords and categories on all your Popplet projects to make searching easier. There is an accompanying iOS app which gives you mobile access to your projects; however, there is currently no Android version available.
Price: Free
9. Bubbl.us
Bubbl.us makes online brainstorming and mind mapping simple. To start, just type your central topic to start a tree, and then create another idea at the same level or as a sub-level. Everweb 3 1 7 x 2. The Bubbl.us tree will automatically reposition itself to fit any new ideas you have, or you can move the bubbles around manually.
You can customize a tree to suit your style by changing the color and size. The auto-save feature is especially useful, and you can share your project as a read-only file or allow others to edit it. To collaborate on the same tree, other team members must have their own Bubbl.us accounts.
Price: Free
Oh My Mind Mapping 2 Brainstorming 1 1 14th
10. Mind42
Browser-based Mind42 allows you to manage all of your ideas on one platform for a fast and simple mind mapping experience. You can quickly create, manage and edit any kind of data structure required for mind maps to explore ideas in a visually meaningful way.
All you need to do is create an account and click New MInd Map. Once you start a project, you can invite collaborators and create helpful groups such as Business or Private. You can even import existing mind maps from other applications, such as Mindmanager and Freemind.
Price: Free
11. GroupMap
GroupMap is specifically built to make team activities easy, providing a unique platform for anyone to respond on a map, with any parameters you set. You can select a map or create your own, and then invite your team to collaborate, comment, converse and vote to help decide the best ideas from a session.
Each individual can add their ideas to the brainstorm, and the results aggregate into a group view for comments and voting, making for a more open, efficient process.
Price: Accounts range from free up to $49 per month for a professional account.
12. Mindomo
Mindomo provides mind mapping and project collaboration tools for both businesses and education providers. It can be used to brainstorm mind maps, create tasks and share resources within a secure environment. It's fully collaborative with the conversations, discussions and topics enabled within each workspace.
You can style individual mind maps using themes to better illustrate concepts and projects. You can choose to keep you map private or public, and also provide a direct link to your map to share with team members or clients.
Price: Accounts range from free up to $29 per month for a team account.
13. Stormboard
Stormboard focuses on real-time brainstorming and collaboration, allowing you to add ideas, photos and videos to a shared online whiteboard. You can quickly generate and capture ideas, and prioritize and vote on them. All ideas have a unique comment thread to clarify, refine and debate.
Stormboard features a library of templates that you can customize to suit your specifications. Since Stormboard is compatible with mobile, you can access, capture and review ideas anytime and anywhere.
Price: Accounts range from free up to $10 per month for at team account.
14. MindMap
MindMap is a Google Chrome extension that has Cloud, Google Drive, Dropbox and Box support built in. You can save your work into local storage, in the cloud, and print or export finished mind maps as an image.
You can even manipulate the fonts and positions within each node, add images and text, and share your maps through your social media connections. MindMap allows real-time collaboration and embedding within websites or blogs. Also of interest are three similar mind mapping Google Chrome extensions: MindMapr, MindMup and Connected Mind.
Price: Free Eisenpower v1 1 3.
15. Wisemapping
Wisemapping is an online, open source mind mapping editor for both individuals and businesses to share with collaborators, embed in blogs, and easily import and export. If security is important and you don't want to use the browser-based app, you can download, install and configure WiseMapping on your own server.
The tool allows you to invite team members to view and collaborate on your mind maps and export maps to Freemind, PDF, SVG and other image file formats. Wisemapping also features an embeddable mind map viewer for use on other websites or blogs.
Price: Free
16. MindManager
MindManager from Mindjet is a powerful mind mapping tool that lets you organize your ideas in a single view, where you can easily drag and drop to gather and prioritize your ideas. Adding images, video, hyperlinks and attachments is simple, and the project planning tools make it straightforward to turn ideas into action.
It works with Microsoft Office and Apple productivity tools, including Outlook and Entourage. MindManager also features automated calculations to help evaluate and analyze data.
Price: A license is $129, or $349 for MindManager Plus.
17. Freeplane
Freeplane is an open source application that runs on any operating system with Java installed. It can also run locally or portably from a removable storage, such as a USB drive.
You can freely position, order, classify, group or connect any node and style the map using shapes, colors and edge type — or even according to hierarchical level. You can structure nodes in terms of content, such as text, formula, icon, image or hyperlink. Mind maps are password protectable, and you can make full use of the drag and drop functionality, search, publishing and sharing options available.
Price: Free
18. The Brain
Price: Free
16. MindManager
MindManager from Mindjet is a powerful mind mapping tool that lets you organize your ideas in a single view, where you can easily drag and drop to gather and prioritize your ideas. Adding images, video, hyperlinks and attachments is simple, and the project planning tools make it straightforward to turn ideas into action.
It works with Microsoft Office and Apple productivity tools, including Outlook and Entourage. MindManager also features automated calculations to help evaluate and analyze data.
Price: A license is $129, or $349 for MindManager Plus.
17. Freeplane
Freeplane is an open source application that runs on any operating system with Java installed. It can also run locally or portably from a removable storage, such as a USB drive.
You can freely position, order, classify, group or connect any node and style the map using shapes, colors and edge type — or even according to hierarchical level. You can structure nodes in terms of content, such as text, formula, icon, image or hyperlink. Mind maps are password protectable, and you can make full use of the drag and drop functionality, search, publishing and sharing options available.
Price: Free
18. The Brain
The Brain aims to be the ultimate in digital memory, and is available for Windows, OS X and Linux. It's more than a mind mapping application in that it allows you to visualize all of your tasks, ideas, projects, documents and notes in one convenient place.
You can store an unlimited amount of information, which is available on both the desktop and mobile devices, using a simple drag and drop interface. The Brain focuses on helping you build meaningful and dynamic connections that give you a greater insight into whatever idea or project you're working on.
Price: The Service Only package is $15; License Only is $219; Complete Package is $299.
19. LucidChart
LucidChart is a powerful diagramming application that helps you quickly capture and organize ideas during a brainstorming session into a single useful mind map. It features a suite of tools including real-time collaboration, built-in Google image search, custom themes and social sharing.
Microsoft excel support. The auto-spacing of mind mapping nodes, hotkeys for quick mind map creation, collapsible branches, auto theming and chat feature all give you the flexibility to create and customize your mind map.
Price: Accounts range from free up to $21 per month for team accounts.
20. Scapple
Scapple is a mind map app for OS X from the developer of the popular longform writers tool Scrivener, and it's specifically directed at writers. It provides a space for mapping out your thoughts in a free way, without conforming to a single idea or goal. You can start typing anywhere, link ideas, build relationships, and adjust or expand everything.
Your notes can take the form of text, pictures, a PDF or any other type of file you choose. You can stack related ideas into columns for better organization, while the appearance of notes can be easily changed through the font choice, colors or border style.
Price: The software download is $14.99.
21. Mapul
Mapul is a web-based tool powered by Microsoft Silverlight, which allows you to generate mind maps without leaving your browser. It's an evolution of MapMyself and provides a free or subscription-based account.
It features a quirky, hand-drawn interface and has the option to save or export mind maps. You can import images and style your text with various sizing and color options.
Price: Accounts can hold up to 10 users; a single user account for six months is $30, and a 10-user account is $360 per year.
22. MindApp
MindApp is a mind mapping tool available in-browser or as a Windows desktop app. It features a drag and drop interface, keyboard shortcuts, children's options, and map and text formatting.
You can save mind maps online in your free personal account or as images on your desktop, which can be used in other applications. The map can be styled to suit your tastes and includes shapes, lines, alignment, size, color, borders and background options.
Price: Free
23. CoMapping
CoMapping is an online mind mapping application to take notes, plan, organize and share information, with multiple people able to work collaboratively on the same map. The visual interface allows for the drag and drop of topics for quick reorganization, while the app also enables you to work offline and provides a place for private, non-shareable data.
CoMapping has a built-in chat feature to support instant discussion, and also includes task management, presentations and email status updates.
Price: Accounts range from free up to $612 per year (for classrooms/departments with 100 users).
24. MyThoughts
MyThoughts for OS X offers freedom and flexibility to build meaningful, unique mind maps boasting powerful features, including drag and drop, branch styles, relationships, a media browser, print manager and outline notes. You can import OPML and Freemind files and export to RTDF, Word, PDF, Image and OPML formats.
Oh My Mind Mapping 2 Brainstorming 1 1 147
The uncluttered, user-friendly interface make it easy to get started and brainstorm freely, with the ability to add links to files and URLs, and even share files between the popular iThoughtsHD OS X and iPad app.
Price: A single license is £31.60 (~$51), and the Family Pack costs £44.49 (~$72).
Mobile Apps
The tools above are among the the best to create mind maps online or on your desktop. However, there are many iOS and Android mind mapping apps that may interest you:
Image: Flickr, Marco Arment
