Visual Understanding Environment (VUE) Software

In my quest, as seen in my prior post on concept mapping, I found one software that I believe is an excellent match for my school and students: VUE. I created a few video tutorials and located others. Below is the help guide that I shared with teachers on our internal technology support page:

Mind mapping! Concept mapping! Oh my!

VUE is appropriate for younger students as well as the older students due to the available options within. It is very similar to programs like Kidspiration and Inspiration and is our solution for mind or concept mapping.

This free software is created by Tufts University located in Medford, Massachusetts. The free download can be found on their site if you are interested in installing it.

Instructions

Feel free to watch the videos that I created with your class or to share the links with your students. I purposely made them short, generic, and applicable to any grade level. 

Beginners Guide to Using VUE (2:33): My tutorial on creating, moving and deleting bubbles.

Adding Images (2:11): My tutorial for adding images from Google or other websites.

Inserting Linking Words (1:14): My brief tutorial on how to add, edit, and delete linking words.

• Need ideas for linking words? Visit Concept Maps Cross Links/Linking Words“Cheat Sheet” and  Linking Words Overhead

Videos created by others:

           VUE – 1. Creating and Modifying Nodes in VUE (2:44)

VUE – 2. Connecting Nodes to each other in VUE (0:59)

Data in a spreadsheet? Importing a CSV file into VUE (1:45) – use to organize data in a visual way instead of by sorting the data in the columns of a spreadsheet in Excel, Numbers, or Google Spreadsheets. In case your data is in more than one spreadsheet, after viewing the first video, watch VUE – Joining two CSV datasets (2:10). 

Creating Presentations? Concept maps can be shared with the class by creating pathways between bubbles. For example, watch Using Pathways in VUE (0:38). This Introduction to Pathways in VUE (0:48) will show you the basics to setting up your presentation. Presenting with VUE (4:03) goes through the entire process of setting up the pathways and presenting.

FAQ

Does the map export into an outline form, or is there an alternate view for an outlined form of one's map?

The software will not make a typical outline that can be used to start writing a paper. It can provide users with a complete list of nodes in no particular order by going to Windows and choosing Outline.

What is the difference between the terms concept mapping and mind mapping?

See Concept Map

Concept mapping, mind mapping, and argument mapping: what are the differences and do they matter?

Public Speaking - Delivery

It is never too early and students are never too young to start polishing their presentation skills. Being able to speak in public is a necessary skill, however, students do not always learn the proper way to prepare for and deliver a speech.

I know an audience can provide constructive feedback, but sometimes their comments can be hard to understand and believe (e.g. talking too fast, too quiet, fidgeting, repeating “um” and “like”). Below are different ways for students to evaluate themselves and actually see what they are doing correctly or incorrectly.

Lo Tech Method

Practice in front of a mirror.

Hi Tech Methods

Video Camera – Set up the camera on a tripod or get a student to help record.

Digital Camera – Most digital cameras have a movie-recording feature.

Laptop with internal or external webcam – Pair this with a variety of programs, one such program would be iMovie on the Macs.

Document Cameras – These typically can also record if they allow for removable media to be inserted or are connected to a computer with its associated software installed.

*In a pinch, a student’s image can be projected on the back wall (a really expensive mirror!).

iPad – Use the built-in Camera app to record video and play it back. There are numerous other iOS apps that you can purchase to record video, but what it comes with is all you really need.

iPad Apps

Apps can come in handy to gauge the proper volume for speech delivery.

Decibel 10th: In real time, see the volume level at which someone is speaking. The app outputs the numerical decibel level, as well as a continuously updating graph and gauge. Use this at home or in the classroom. The device can be placed at a distance from the presenter for him or her to reference. Even though this app is rated for “entertainment purposes” because it may not be completely accurate, it appears to give consistent results and has the option for manual calibration. A more in depth review of the app by iPad Apps for Science. (Free)

dB Volume: This is an alternative to the app above, formatted for iPhone or iPod, which displays the decibel level as a number and on a meter. (Free)

TooLoud?: Displays concurrently the room’s volume in easy to read numerical values, as a bar graph, and an updating line graph. The free version claims to have ads, but I have not encountered them in all the times that I have used this app so far. (Free or $0.99)

Websites

Methods that are used to record a student’s presentation should be paired with a review of the video and the completion of a reflective piece of writing. Criteria for Evaluating Speeches created for a Missouri State University class provides some items to consider.

A Research Guide for Students - Presentation Tips for Public Speaking

Concept Maps

The need to create concept maps is a staple in education. In my experience, many of the concept maps are created in one day and finished up that day or a few days later. This type of work does not necessarily warrant having expensive software or costly subscriptions to a website.   

Websites with Printables

If students have not created concept maps before, it might be beneficial to review the process ahead of time. Well crafted concept maps are not always clean works of art ready to be hung on the wall. Printable concept map outlines provide a place to start, and students can add more bubbles and lines as needed.

Graphic Organizer – Concept Map: Such a basic outline that you might even think you could have made a better one yourself.

Concept Map: A more complex template.

Websites

sketchboard.me:  This is an easy to use site. Double click to make the first bubble, type your info and drag a green dot that surrounds the bubble to make the next one. It does not make a file that can be saved on the computer, but it does create a unique website on which the mind map is stored for 30 days. The link can be accessed over and over again during that time period. Also, multiple users can work on one mind map at the same time by going to the unique web address.

bubbl.us: Another easy to use site. You can easily print out the mind maps but are unable to save them unless you create accounts.

Software

VUE – Visual Understanding Environment: A free software for Mac and PC that appears to have all the basic elements needed to make a concept map as well as many features that the higher grades can explore such as presentation and resource tools. Within a map, linking verbs are easily added by double clicking on the links, and image files can be placed onto the page in general or into a specific node. Maps can be saved as files that can be opened again in VUE or exported as PDF, JPEG, or PNG. *I have not been able to find another free option that is as simple to use and multiuser friendly as this. (Free)

iPad/iOS

(I am focusing mainly on free apps.)

Mental: If I had to pick one app to put on a class set of iPads, I would choose this one. As of the writing of this blog, the app is completely free, without ads, and not cluttered up with too many buttons. An unlimited number of mind maps can be created within the app. Also, it prompts users to insert linking words between the bubbles – something the other completely free apps do not do. (Free)

Idea Sketch: This app would be my second choice. It does not have limits on how many maps can be created. Maps are easy to make; however, the lines connecting bubbles tend to be curved which may make them appear messy and overly confusing. In addition, the bubbles are small and some of the movements necessary to create and edit a map may require dexterity. The entire map can be viewed or even edited in an outline view. (Free version)

Inspiration Maps Lite: The free version currently allows for only five maps to be created at a time and puts a permanent advertisement to update at the bottom of the screen. Features of this app that stand out are the built in templates and the ability to turn the map into an outline. Export options include only emailing or printing. (Free version)

SimpleMind: I like this app because it is really easy to add bubbles to the map, there are no ads, and the free version allows for an unlimited number of mind maps. What I do not like in the free version is that you are unable to add linking verbs between the bubbles, connect a bubble to more than one other bubble, or easily export your map.  (Free or $5.99)

Total Recall: I am not recommending this app because only three mind maps can be created at a time in the free version and the interface is not intuitive and may require extra time to learn. (Free version)