Let´s Learn with SpiderScribe

Let´s Learn with SpiderScribe

Do you know what SpiderScribe is?

SpiderScribe is an online mind-mapping tool.  Its users can use SpiderScribe to organize thoughts and ideas into maps, adding text, images, files, geographical maps, and calendar events to create unique displays of information.                             

It is a place ideal to organize ideas or information related to a certain topic, to collaborate on a project with a classmate or colleague,  or to brainstorm ideas for an important meeting.  

SpiderScribe can be used as a collaborative tool; users can share maps with others and multiple people can edit in real time, allowing people to work together on projects or activities.  Finished maps may be embedded into websites.  The possibilities for collaboration and ability of users to contribute their own content and ideas to the site are what make SpiderScribe stand out. (Glass, 2013)

Linguistic skills can be reinforced with this tool

Since it involves writing, it can be used for making students pratice their writing skills. Teacher can assess writing and all aspects it involves, such as grammar, mechanics, coherence, among others.

Activities That an EFL Teacher Could Carry Out Using Google Drive

Activity #1- In class, the teacher will give students a reading about the topic that they are learning (length and complexity of the reading will depend on students´ linguistic level). He/she will ask students to read the reading passage carefully, highlight the main ideas and most important details of the reading, and take notes as they read. Then, the teacher will ask students to make groups (number depends upon the quantity of students). The teacher will ask each group to create a mind map using SpiderScribe at home that summarizes the main information of the reading. They will include what they consider most important. The teacher will ask students to be creative when elaborating the mind map. Then, each group will share the mind map with the teacher and the rest of the students. The teacher will check the mind map using a rubric scale.

Acrivity #2- The teacher will explain a topic in class, using a power point presentation. Before presenting, the teacher will ask students to take notes of what he will say. After the teacher´s explanation, he/she will ask students to create at home a mind map using SpiderScribe in which they summarize what the teacher explained. Then, students will share their mind maps with the teacher. This could be used for formative purposes; for the teacher to make sure his/her students understood what he explained or to discover if they did not understand, and therefore, be aware of where to focus his/her instruction. 

Activity #3- In groups students will carry out an oral presentation. During each presentation, the rest of students who are not presenting will pay attention and take notes of what their classmates are presenting. After all the presentations, the teacher will ask students to create a mind map using SpiderScribe that summarizes what all the groups presented. When the mind map is ready, students will share it with the teacher. This is another way for the teacher to make sure his/her students pay attention in class, and to be aware of what they are actually learning.

Tips

I have some recommendations if you as a teacher can use SpiderScribe for teaching.

1. You must consider that for using this tool, students will need a smartphone or computer, so make sure all of them have one.
2. Also, you have to make sure that all your students have acces to good internet connection.
3. If you use this tool for evaluating writing, you should prepared a scoring rubric to assess your students´ production.

I want to include a Protocol that I had to prepare for one of my major courses. In this Protocol I created some activities for EFL students in which they use SpiderScribe, so I invite you to take a look at it. It may will give you ideas about how to implement this tool with your students. This is the link 

SpiderScribe is really useful for teaching and learning purposes. The interactive option that is offers of working together in real time but in different places is amazing. Teachers should take advantage of tools that offer this ease.

Reference

Glass. A. (2013). SpiderScribe: A creative take on online mind mapping. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/30A96rC