Brainstorming Tool

I have discovered the free website  bubbl.us 
This website lets you brainstorm and create mind maps online and they can be saved on your own computer as a jpg or saved on the website for later editing.

Of course, this versatile tool could be utilised for any brainstorm of any topic in any subject.

But it is particularly useful for encouraging students to develop a higher order of thinking - moving from concrete concepts through an awareness of the senses to abstract concepts.

Using the contrasting ideas of dark and light, I have demonstrated above what can be developed.
The design is very adaptable.
*The bubbles can be moved around.
*Connecting lines (labelled) can be placed where needed.
"Colours may add a new dimension of association of ideas.

And the final result could be part of a powerpoint revision summary of a topic.



To teach is to keep learning

The Newspaper Clipping Generator

I have just discovered The Newspaper Clipping Generator
What a neat tool for practising economic thought!
And the result looks so real!
Above is my response!


You can even use The Wizard Text Generator to create a caption for the name of the newspaper!

How could this be used? 
Inject imagination into so many subject areas
Not just English!

- students create a dynamic, short, newsworthy item that sounds real based on knowledge of a topic
Examples
Geography - volcanic explosion in Antarctica
History - new child president in Bongoland
Science - murex shell heals cancer
English - Harry Potter's secret

- students create a short article using particular techniques or terms for a particular purpose
English - satire, metaphor, simile, alliteration, assonance, paradox
Art - dada, surrealism, post impressionsim

Group work extension
- students create a storyboard of group newspaper clippings that connect in some way
This activity demonstrates how students can associate ideas

Presentation 
Students film group projects to be presented to the class
- This activity demonstrates how students can order their clippings in some kind of sequence

Class Challenge
Sequence the groups into some purposeful order

Assessment Criteria
Topic knowledge - a sense of reality
Application identifies understanding of the topic
Application represents creative extension of the topic


Reflection
This must be one activity that could be re-used in so many different contexts.
Re-use does not mean disinterest or apathy.
The students could be encouraged to improve on their last use of this generator - a personal challenge.
I can imagine that this tool can be celebrated as an inter-curricular feature.


To teach is to keep learning