Review of a
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Web 2.0 tool
Mapmyself
After being utterly
frustrated with my experience of trying to use
Mapmyself I thought I had better
share a possible less bias opinion of the software, so I’ve included the review
from wikid.edu. After signing on with
minimal difficulty, I say that because
that was no indication other than an information box that said I
couldn’t sign on because my email address had been used by someone else kept
appearing it .took some time for the
email to get to my inbox and I knew I
could sign on and use the program. Once on and not knowing what next I clicked
to tutorial reading through 12 pages of a tutorial that was not helpful without
complete concentrated reading was I able to move forward. The bright colors and swiggly lines didn’t bother
me immediately but the more information I entered the more distracting it
became. The absolute end came where upon trying to save the document and move to
another job the work was completely lost except the title point. Maybe I’m more of a left Brain less creative
person but this tool was not one I could recommend or ever use again. Thus
inclusion of the Wikid .edu analysis for a review with a more neutral spin is
submitted.
What is it?
Mapul’s
MAPMYself is an online tool with an intuitive interface that helps you to
document mind maps and brainstorms directly into a digital format. This makes
it easier to recall the information in a later moment. The maps/organograms are
built in simple but effective organic looking graphics, in which you are able
to edit shape, colours and fonts. The digital format offers an important
benefit compared to plain pen and paper; the free trial contains more than 3000
images that can be found and placed easily. If you are willing to pay $4.60 the
image library will be extended with a Flickr add-in (www.flickr.com). As a
premium user you are also able to add links to other media to the branches. The
ability to add any kind of image to your map within a second adds interesting
opportunities for brainstorm sessions.
MAPMYself is a
web-based tool that you have to start with opening your browser and visit www.mapul.com.
Click on the big image above the title. If Microsoft Silverlight is installed
on your PC, a pop-up screen with content will appear. Log in with your account
that can be created by simply signing up with your email address.
Once signed up
and logged in you are able to start the tool. Begin by selecting an image that
forms the origin of the map and fill the topic of the mind map. MAPMYself uses
a Microsoft Office-like interface, with a limited amount of features. To change
the scale of the images click on the lower right grey dot and choose the
desired size.
There are two ways to build out the organogram. The quick way is to use the SpeedMindMap feature. Select a branch (or the centre image), press enter to a branch from the selected branch, type your text and press enter again to add a new branch. If you want to have more control in constructing your branches you can also add them by clicking a dragging. When hovering above the branch a white dot with a red edge appears. If you click on the inner white an extra branch will be added. By clicking on the red edge, you are able to drag the current branch to a new location.
There are two ways to build out the organogram. The quick way is to use the SpeedMindMap feature. Select a branch (or the centre image), press enter to a branch from the selected branch, type your text and press enter again to add a new branch. If you want to have more control in constructing your branches you can also add them by clicking a dragging. When hovering above the branch a white dot with a red edge appears. If you click on the inner white an extra branch will be added. By clicking on the red edge, you are able to drag the current branch to a new location.
Evaluation
MAPMYself has
the potential to become a valuable tool in brainstorm sessions. The software
offers a quick and logic interface that helps you to document your brainstorms
in a digital format. The add-in image browser promises to be an interesting
added value compared to normal pen and paper. With this feature you are able to
find and paste images directly into your map and stimulate/support the
creativity in a brainstorm with visual data.
The software offers quite some options to save the brainstorm. Beside .xml, .jpg and .pdf you are also able to save it as Microsoft Word document. This compatibility will make the maps easy to share.
Currently however, the software has to deal with three important issues:
The software offers quite some options to save the brainstorm. Beside .xml, .jpg and .pdf you are also able to save it as Microsoft Word document. This compatibility will make the maps easy to share.
Currently however, the software has to deal with three important issues:
- Only one
person is able to work on the sheet. To make it more interactive and
intuitive, it could be interesting if it would be possible to log in with
different accounts and work on the same file simultaneously.
- The
graphics of the software are quite informal. The options do not allow you
to edit the lay out of the maps to make them more formal. This means you
have to accept the bright, curvy and organic appearance.
- The
software lacks some standardized interactions. Scrolling with your mouse
or track pad is not possible. Moreover, shortcuts like Ctrl-C, Ctrl-X,
Ctrl-V do not work with graphics. This requires you to take extra steps in
some cases.
References
http://wikid.eu/index.php/MAPMYself
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