Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Tool: Bubbl

Name of the Web 2.0 Tool is Bubbl. You can access the tool here: https://bubbl.us

Primary category: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Tool

Tool description:
Bubbl is a web-based tool that can be used to create mind maps. A mind map is a visualization of an idea or information in the form of a diagram. Personally, I think the easiest way to create a mind map is by drawing it on a paper or whiteboard. However, there might be challenges when we need to save and share the hand-drawn diagram. That’s when a web 2.0 tool like Bubbl can be very useful. Bubbl is a web 2.0 tool that can be used to create mind maps. It can be accessed freely, although some of the features are limited to premium users only.

Bubbl users can create mind maps in the form of interconnected bubbles. Users can manage the size or color of the bubbles and font of the diagram. Users can also attach file (image) into their map and work collaboratively with their friends or colleagues in creating a mind map (these feature are only available for premium users).

Mind maps created using Bubbl can be saved in the form of image or webpage outline. Interestingly, it allows the users to choose the image format they want to use, JPG or PNG. Images saved in PNG format will have transparent background; a format that we can easily embed into another images or presentations (e.g. power point presentation).  

• Did you need to download or install any additional components or resources to use the Web 2.0 tool you are reviewing? No

• What do you need to know before using this tool? (What skills do you need to have?) There’s no specific skill required

• What do you need to have before using this tool? No tool is required to use Bubbl. You’ll only need to sign up for an account if you want to save or  export the map that you’ve created.

• How do you use this tool? Please watch my tutorial video below for instruction about how to use Bubbl.

• Here are some examples of mind maps that were created using Bubbl: https://bubbl.us/examples

Here's how I might use this tool in a teaching environment:

During their study time in medical school, medical students received enormous amount of information. All of the information, if taken passively, might be easily forgotten over time, and students might face difficulties when preparing for the Steps (USMLE) later. To promote students’ active involvement during the learning process, many teaching methods have been implemented in medical schools, such as problem-based learning and case-based learning; and it is a common knowledge that the combination of several teaching methods provide better outcome than a single teaching method.

I think mind mapping can also be used to promote students’ active participation in teaching difficult medical subjects. If students are instructed to create mind maps at the end of every lecture, they will feel encouraged to try to understand the lecture they’ve just attended. Using the topic discussed in the lecture as the center of their mind map, they can begin identifying the main branches of their map from the information they’ve just learned; as they read more from various sources, they will add the sub-branches related to the topic. At the end of their self-learning session, they should have a well-developed mind map. They can present and discuss what they’ve learned and understood about the topic with their colleagues in small groups. At the end of the process, students should have a better retention over the topics they’ve learned.

• The advantages and disadvantages of using this tool in a formal or informal teaching environment?

Advantages:

Free and Very easy to use

The mind map can be saved for future editing

The mind map can be exported into various formats (JPG, PNG, webpage outline)

Disadvantages:

Attaching image feature (which is very important in mind) is only available for premium users

Only one font available

Only one bubble shape available

• Would you recommend this Web 2.0 tool to others, or suggest that they explore a different tool? Absolutely