Who’s in your personal learning network? How would you map that network out? What online or software tool would you use to get the job done? I hope you’re not using MS Powerpoint or Excel to do your concept mapping!! Consider these free, and/or no cost tools.

One of my favorite, must have applications is graphic organizer software. As far back as I can remember, I’ve been mapping out projects, either on paper, or when Inspiration came out, using Inspiration. Creating and using graphic organizer software is essential. In fact, I wish that collaborative graphic organizer software was built into GoogleApps (anybody listening?). Until recently, I thought Cmap Tools was the best…and it is if all you’re doing is working on your computer. And, while it does have a server component that allows folks to share data, that requires a server, setup rights, etc.

This evening, @NancyWhite shared an activity she’s soon to do with her workshop participants. As I read it, I was immediately struck by the need to use online graphic organizers that enable collaboration…who cares about creating anything alone anymore? Collaborative projects, creation are key to success in a peer production world…so what online graphic organizers are there that work well?

In reviewing my list, I noticed I only had two, and both seemed…lousy. However, Twitter colleagues @csitterley suggested MindMeister. and @EHelfant suggested Mindomo.com. Unfortunately, Mindomo, like Mind42 and Gliffy, was tough to work with. I was looking for something more along the lines of what MindMeister had to offer.

Mindmeister has export features available, although I found it ironic that the export to FreeMind Open Source format is a PREMIUM feature. Again, it makes me wish Google would buy these folks–or Bubbl.us, mentioned below–out so it would become part of the GoogleApps suite…it would certainly put Inspiration/Kidspiration, Cmap Tools folks “out of business,” not to mention the clunkier online alternatives.

These are nice features, but in the end, I was taken with Bubbl.us ‘s features and interactivity…thanks to Ginger for suggesting it! This interface was SO much easier to work with and felt so much like the more traditional desktop based apps I’m accustomed to working with.

So, quick list of all the apps in order of preference:

1. Bubbl.us – great interface, easy to work with and to get your data out of it.
2. MindMeister – easy enough interface, nice collaboration features, exporting your data may be tougher.
3. Mindomo – I hated it. Give me some reasons to like it.
4. Gliffy – Too commercialized, I didn’t like it either.
5. Mind42 – not much better.

For desktop apps, I hope you’re using Cmap Tools...I use this exclusively on my computers (Mac, GNU/Linux, Windows), and, of course, it’s no cost. There’s no reason a school district should be paying for a concept mapping/graphic organizer tool. Desktop apps include:

1. CMAP Tools
2. FreeMind
3. More freebies
4. Inspiration (Costs $$$)

There are other desktop graphic organizer tools, but to be honest, they aren’t that great.

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