Mindtools for Learning

Mindtools are programs that allow students to visually demonstrate relationships, processes, or ideas through webs, charts, and so on.  Mindtools essentially provide a means for students to demonstrate their thinking in a visual way, or in other words, model their thought processes.  This is invaluable in the educational process, both for teachers and for other students, because it gives an opportunity not only for students to show what they observed or noticed in their learning, but to see and learn from the thought processes of others.  Students can comment and discuss their ideas through the mindtools and demonstrate how they arrived at certain conclusions and relationships.  These tools are also very interactive and help to build numerous other research and publication skills that could prove useful in their future education or in the workplace.
There are a number of different Mindtool programs available to use for educational purposes, such as Cmaps (a basic concept mapping software) and Inspiration (a versatile mapping/chart software designed for grades 6-12). I was drawn to the Inspiration software since I can see the appeal for students in the colorful mapping capabilities and in how user friendly is appears.  I also liked that the program allowed you to make various other charts and concept maps.  The media libraries also provide an additional visual dynamic that often appeals to students when creating charts or maps like these.
I can certainly see how Inspiration could be used to show character relationships in my English class, or even how plots evolve, or themes are reinforced by actions, events, or dialogue.  I did a search online to fine out how Inspiration is being used in other classes and stumbled across this assignment for a high school science class.  I also found a list of uses for Inspiration in an English class.  Unfortunately, it appears that most of the assignment links are broken, but the list itself gives a pretty good view of Inspiration's versatility.  I don't think there is a subject area where Mindtool programs could not find some value, especially when it comes to creating models of concepts and relationships.