Conceptual Mapping As “Spatial Message Board”

The PITF initially identified a product, Mind42, which met many of Professor Fisher’s criteria. However, questions about technical viability arose, and a decision was made to use MindJet Catalyst instead. Catalyst is a robust, web-based product that met virtually all of Professor Fisher’s needs, including an ability to convert his existing Freemind maps.  In addition, MindJet offered a desktop product, MindManager, that provided Professor Fisher additional authoring features. The PITF ran some capacity tests prior to the start of the course, and assisted in managing student accounts in Catalyst. Professor Fisher implemented the pilot. Student feedback on using the mapping software as a discussion tool was mixed.

Teaching Challenge:

Professor Fisher had previously used online discussion forums for increasing student engagement outside the classroom. After he began using conceptual mapping tools in his own work, he was interested in adapting existing conceptual maps of intellectual property issues to allow student contributions and discussions around the content.