Mind Maps - a key to learning?

We all know the adage "a picture is better than a thousand words" and it seems that research is now supporting the concept that learning can happen more easily with a visual prompt.

Or is it that the creation of a mind map makes the learner think more carefully about the concept, as well as involving a sense other than reading?

An article Beyond Rote Learning by Massie Santos Ballon in the  Philippine Daily Inquirer (22 Jan 2011) begins

FOR MANY people, the word "learning" is synonymous with "memorization."

For these people, the true test of how much knowledge they’ve gained from a class is dependent on being able to recall, and parrot back, as many facts and figures as possible.

A recent study by American psychologists suggests, however, that when it comes to retaining information, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Their data indicate that teaching students to develop methods of recalling information, instead of relying on lists, could help them learn complex ideas, such as, those presented in science classes.

More

Mind mapping tools

I've culled these from a larger list of Personal Productivity Tools at Jane Hart's Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies.

• i2brain
  Not just another mind mind mapping program.  It is multi-dimensional. It visualizes your thoughts and plans in depth
  £, Free Trial, Download
• iMindMap
  Mind mapping tool from the creator of mind maps, Tony Buzan
  £, Free Trial, Download
• MindGenius
  Mind Mapping Software that helps students and educators to plan more effectively, can provide a focal point for class discussion, and help improve memory recall for exams.
  £, Free Trial, Download
•  MindManager
  Helps you capture and organize every detail in one trusted place and use the power of visual organization to uncover hidden gems of information and unexpected insights.
  £, Free Trial, Download
• MindNode
  MindNode Pro and MindNode are elegant and simple-to-use mindmapping applications for the Macintosh that help to visually collect, classify and structure ideas; and organize, study and solve problems.
  £, Free Trial, Download
• Nelements
  3d Mind Mapping tool that you can use to organize your knowledge in 3d.
  £, Free Trial, Download
• NovaMind
  Mind mapping software
  £, Free Trial, Download
• Seavus DropMind
  Smooth, flexible and creative mind mapping solution
  £, Free Trial, Download/Hosted
• TopicScape
  Concept mapping and mindmapping in 3D
  £, Free Trial, Download
• Visual Mind
  Software based on the mindmapping technique to visualise your thinking an quickly arrange and organise your work
  £, Free Trial, Download

What are the best mind mapping tools you've come across?

Do you use mind mapping in your teaching and learning?

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