| Idea maps help students generate ideas and develop thoughts visually.
They are used for brainstorming and prewriting exercises, and producing
plans and solving problems. Idea maps clarify thinking by helping
students to see connections between ideas. Using fast, five-minute
exercises in word and idea association, idea maps utilize keywords,
symbols, colors and graphics to form nonlinear networks of potential
ideas and observations.
Here's how it works with Inspiration.
First, type your topic in the Main Idea symbol. Click the RapidFireTM
button. Then start typing, writing your ideas as fast as they come.
Press Enter (Return) after each idea, and Inspiration will break them
out into separate symbols. Don't stop to decide whether these are good
ideas -- just keep typing.
When you've exhausted your ideas, begin sorting them into categories.
Use symbols and colors to emphasize different concepts. This stage may
help you generate even more ideas. Don't interrupt your thinking
process. Just type in your ideas and begin rearranging again.
Finally, step back and look at main themes, patterns or possible
solutions.
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