Create a mindmap to design your training content

Computer desktop or mobile device
Internet connection

In this activity, you will create a Mindmap. This supports the adult educator to visualize the training content needed/to be created to achieve the foreseen learning outcomes. Once finalized the mindmap can be shared with colleagues to create similar content in line with all learning objectives of a course.

Creating a mindmap to plan the design of training content allows the educator to have an overview of every single piece of content.

An online mindmap allows to quickly collect and organize the content and to share information with different targets. Digital technologies make this process much faster and easier, as it allows users to use different functions in order to have a big picture of the training content that an adult educator may want to develop.

• To create an online mindmap
• Integrate different elements (links, texts, documents, images) in the mindmap
• Share information with peers

Mindmeister is an online mind mapping tool. It allows users to capture, develop and share ideas visually. The tool can be used for brainstorming, note taking, project planning and event managing. External elements (such as images, links, videos, etc.) can be added to enrich the mindmap and the idea to be presented.

It can be used alone or in team and is completely web-based. Mindmeister is available online at https://www.mindmeister.com

Start the activity by reflecting on which specific learning outcomes you want to focus on to design the training material and to identify one or maximum two specific learning outcomes. It is important to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve by creating the training content.

As a second element in relation to the learning outcomes you should identify exactly what the learner needs to take away from the learning experience and why he/she needs to acquire the information in the first place.

Now, you can sign-up on Mindmeister to start creating a mindmap, click on “New mind map”, choose a theme and write down the name of the main topic at the centre of the map. Define the main key points connected to the topic which the learners should acquire.

In order to define the correct design elements, gather the learning material for each keypoint, by introducing links, images, documents, etc. in the mindmap.

At this point, decide on the multimedia elements you would like to incorporate in your training content.

Now, move around the elements in the mindmap to define a “natural” sequence of the different key points and related activities you have foreseen.

Once you have finished click on “share” at the bottom left side of the screen and insert email addresses of peers you would like to share your mindmap with.

1. Reflect on specific learning outcomes and learners needs
2. Familiarize with mindmaps, Mindmeister and different functions
3. Set the specific topic of the training design
4. Collect learning material
5. Design a mindmap with keypoints in sequence of delivery
6. Finalize the mindmap, share with peers and discuss different topics

Before starting the activity, make sure that adults have an email account to be able to subscribe to the application.

Encourage trainees to be as precise as possible and to always keep in mind the ultimate results that they need to achieve.

All mindmaps created within Mindmeister are private until the user chooses to publish them and make them public. Please remind the user to quote authors or to check copyright of material used to create the training content.

https://www.mindmeister.com/content/security