TotSplash
Link: http://www.totsplash.com
Link to this example: http://www.totsplash.com/app
Description: TotSplash is a free graphic organizer software. It allows users to create mind maps that allow them to organize thoughts and ideas into an easy to use presentation. TotSplash allows you to add as many "tots" (thoughts) as you need. Users are able to images to go with each idea and a description if wanted. You can then show the "Splash" or your ideas. Basically, it takes your mind map and converts it into a Prezi-like presentation of your ideas. This website would be a great tool to use when prewriting and brainstorming a piece in writing. Students can get all their ideas organized and notice where they need more support or evidence. It is easy to add another chain or idea to the map and students can see exactly how everything is related.
However, there are many drawbacks to this site. First, since it is a free site, the owners are having financial difficulties keeping it up. As a result, the amount of storage space allowed for each user is minimal. My account let me save only one mind map. The site states that you can upload your presentations to YouTube and Twitter, but I was unable to find anywhere on the site to do this. The help center was not helpful at all. Therefore, there's no way for students to save their mind maps unless they take a screen shot of them or print the page. Overall, I think this is a quick and easy way for students to prewrite pieces or brainstorm ideas, but that's about where the capabilities of this software end.
However, there are many drawbacks to this site. First, since it is a free site, the owners are having financial difficulties keeping it up. As a result, the amount of storage space allowed for each user is minimal. My account let me save only one mind map. The site states that you can upload your presentations to YouTube and Twitter, but I was unable to find anywhere on the site to do this. The help center was not helpful at all. Therefore, there's no way for students to save their mind maps unless they take a screen shot of them or print the page. Overall, I think this is a quick and easy way for students to prewrite pieces or brainstorm ideas, but that's about where the capabilities of this software end.
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