Instructional Technology
Conference 2005
Proposal #34
Title: Visual Thinking Tools for Creating and Communicating Knowledge
Name: Robert J. Ladd
Audience Level: All
Audience: General
Length: One Hour
Abstract:
Visual thinking techniques are effective ways to overcome blocks, come up with new ideas, and organize and present ideas. Visual thinking software programs help you to develop and work with ideas on a computer.
In this presentation, the advantages of using visual thinking programs such as MindManager, Inspiration, and SmartDraw will be discussed. Tools will be demonstrated and compared with each other so that participants can better understand how to use these tools and what you can do with them.
Come prepared to open your mind and let visual thinking tools help you see things in new ways!
Description:
The purpose of this presentation is to help participants learn about visual thinking tools for developing and presenting ideas, including the kinds of tools available, the tasks for which they can be used, and the advantages of specific tools for different kinds of tasks.
This presentation will begin with a brief discussion of the advantages of visual thinking techniques for developing and presenting ideas, and the theories on which visual thinking techniques are based.
Next, the presentation will focus on specific visual thinking programs such as MindManager, Inspiration, and SmartDraw. Techniques using these tools will be demonstrated, and examples of projects will be shown. This will give participants a sense of how to use the programs demonstrated, as well as a good idea of the kinds of tasks you can best accomplish with each program.
There are a variety of tasks involved with creating knowledge, including brainstorming, project planning, structuring content, and presentation. Visual thinking tools can be used in multiple ways throughout the process, with different tools contributing in different ways. These different kinds of tasks will be discussed. Tools will be compared with each other so that participants can evaluate which tool is most appropriate for their particular needs and style of working.
Session Type: Lecture/Presentation
Contact information/affiliation:
Robert J. Ladd, Education Media Specialist, Health Sciences Library
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Campus Box 7585
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
919/962-0601
bob_ladd@unc.edu
Equipment: Instructor Workstation (Windows) with projection/screen. Will need to install the demo versions of software (MindManager, Inspiration, and SmartDraw).