10 Mind Mapping Tools 4 the iPad

Brainstorming is a way for an individual or group to collect ideas about a specific problem or situation. The goal is to collect as many as you can and then go back and evaluate the ones that might be worth developing further. These ideas can then be developed, enhanced and modified.

Brainstorming is a great tool for educational situation where you want to develop and stimulate the creative process. The idea is that a shift in thinking can occur by collecting many ideas together around a particular concept. The process itself often spurs further ideas and so the process continues.

So if we have access to iPads then what apps are available for us to utilise the benefits of mind mapping. Here are a collection of apps that your students can use to create mind maps quickly and easily on their iPads.

Mindnode: $7.99
Mindnode is a very easy and intuitive application for collecting, organising and outlining your thoughts and ideas as mind maps. Mindnode makes creating mind maps on the iPad extremely easy. Drag out a node from the well and off you go.

iThoughts HD: $9.99 US $12.99 AU
A mind mapping tool for the iPad that allows you to visually organise your thoughts, ideas and information. Great for task lists, brainstorming, project planning, goal setting, concept mapping or meeting or course notes. One of the best respected apps.

Mindmeister: FREE
Easily create, view, edit and share mind maps in this intuitive app. Seamlessly sync with your online account. Share maps directly from your device, full drag and drop support, edit colours icons and styles. Very intuitive to use, easily used by students.

Popplet: $4.99
Super simple interface allows you to move at the speed of your thoughts. Capture your ideas, sort them visually, and collaborate in realtime. You can also sign up for an online account with the app featured in “New and Noteworthy”and “Whats Hot”.

Maptini: $5.99
Maptini lets you build mind maps collaboratively on your iPad, syncing data in real time as you work from anywhere. It’s a simple and intuitive tool for organising and sharing your ideas from a lecture, a project, or a brainstorming session.
Mindo: $6.99
A mind mapping tool that allows you to organise your thoughts and ideas intuitively wherever you are. External VGA equipped for presentations. Create boundaries and collapse branches, assign priorities and attributes for maximum functionality.
Idea Sketch: FREE
Ideas Sketch lets you easily draw a mind map and convert it to a text outline and vice versa. You can use Idea Sketch for brainstorming new ideas, illustrating concepts, making outlines, planning presentations, creating charts and more.

Simplemind: FREE
Drag and drop mind mapping tool with templates and clipboard for brainstorming or thought structuring. Large mind map support only limited by memory. Download to desktop. Styles, colour changes and border all supported within the node well.


iMindmap: $39.99
This app allows you to use Tony Buzan’s unique interface for creating mind maps on the go. This app is only available on the iPhone right now but an iPad version is due soon. If the desktop version is part of your workflow then iMindMapPro will appeal.
Total Recall: FREE
A elegant solution to mind mapping for the idevice. You can instantly create and share beautiful mind maps. Intuitive touch interface with automatic layout allows for mind maps with a few simple strokes. Great colourful mind maps for students.