Thing #14: Flowcharts and Mindmaps

Thing #14: Flowcharts and Mindmaps

If anyone has been reading my blogs, they know that I am going to be an English teacher. With that being said, I chose to create a mindmap of the 6-Trait Writing Process for my students. The first site that I chose to use was Bubbl.us, which was a site that allows you to create mindmaps. I love this site! You can create so many different things for your students. You can give them completed mindmaps for a unit or a lesson, which will aid in differentiated learning. You could also make out blank mindmaps that the students must fill out during the lesson. I have attached my mindmap below.

I also used the Gliffy site to create a flowchart. I used the same content for the flowchart as I did for the mindmap. I really liked both tools. The only real difference that I noticed between mindmaps and flowcharts is that a mindmap is a map of ideas and signifies that they are related. A flowchart, on the other hand, indicates the direction of the relationship. Students could use the flowchart to show how the relationship between ideas travel, and would be a great tool for science teachers.

 

Thing #13: Zoho and Google Docs

Thing #13: Zoho and Google Docs

Hello all! So, I just finished exploring Zoho and Zoho Writer. I have to say, I think that Zoho is pretty neat, although it seems very similar to Microsoft Word. After exploring the site, I realized that the major advantage of Zoho is that is easily accessible from any computer because it is web-based. As long as you can sign in to your account, you can access your documents. Similarly, it is compatible with all different versions of a software, whereas Word is sometimes not compatible with older versions of the same software.

After I finished exploring Zoho, I went to Google Docs and created a drawing. I have never used the drawing tool, and I think it is such a great tool! It was easy to navigate, and would be a great tool to make comics for the students.  Located below is the drawing I created.

 Google Docs is a great way for students to work collaboratively. If they are assigned a group essay or a group presentation, they could use Google Docs to share information. Since it is web-based, the document can be shared and accessed by any group member. This will allow greater opportunities for collaborative work in the classroom, as well as open doors in the English classroom. 

I could have my students compose essays on Google Docs and place them in Editing and Revising teams. Each student could upload their essay and their team members could offer suggestions for revision and editing.

Of the two sites, I prefer Google Docs because it offers such a wide variety of tools. If I want to blog, I can go to Google; if I want to make a drawing or a presentation, I can go to Google; if I want to get email alerts, I can go to Google. It is such a well-rounded site that I prefer it to Zoho.