BP2_Popplet.com

Popplet is an online collaborative, mind-mapping tool. I decided on Popplet because I have students use the application Inspiration extensively in my class for brainstorming and pre-planning. However Inspiration has some limitations that I am hoping Popplet might overcome.

Creating a Popplet account was a very simple process. It asks for your name, email address, and a password. Once you enter that information it takes you right in to the site, no email verification necessary. Once you are logged in Popplet presents you with a large button prompting you to get started. It then takes you through a simple 9-step tutorial process to get you accustomed to the interface, features, and navigation.

At first Popplet is similar to most other mind mapping applications. You simply create “popples” and populate them with content then make connections. The types of content that you can include are simple titles, drawings, photos, and embedded videos. You can also add comments to all the popples you create. (in fact multiple people can comment but I’ll cover that in a minute)

The drawing feature is one that I have not seen in other mind mapping applications. This allows you to create simple sketches to illustrate your ideas.  However drawing with a mouse pad is not very accurate. This would be a great feature if you had a pen tablet. Another feature that it includes is the ability to embed a Google Map. This could be a great feature for a Social Studies classroom.

You can embed videos or photos straight from Youtube or Flickr. However there is no way to tie in to your own accounts for either of these to access personal videos, favorites, or photos. You simply have to search all of Youtube or Flickr so you need to know what you are looking for and supply strong tags to your own content to access it quickly. It does allow you to log in directly to your Facebook account to access photos but I was unable to get this function to work.

The only content capability that Popplet does not include that is included in Inspiration is the ability to record voice memos into concept bubbles. This a feature that I like in Inspiration because it allows students to quickly record comments as they brainstorm.

The problem with Inspiration is that it is hardware-based meaning it only exists on the computer on which it is created. Popplet stores your projects on it website so they can be accessed from any computer. Popplet also includes one very powerful Web 2.0 feature and that is its ability for multiple collaborators to work on a popplet at the same time from multiple locations. You simply click on “add collaborators” then enter email addresses, or other Popplet account names to invite them to work on your Popplet. Popplet also has a cool feature called timewarp that stores all or the changes to your Popple and allows you to view the development of the Popple over time.

Overall I am excited to try this tool in my classes. Especially with a new class that I am teaching this year that requires my students to engage in “distance” collaboration and plan web based video projects with another class in our school electronically.