I purchased the MindNode app at the suggestion of a friend when I first got my iPad and have been in love with it ever since.
The best use for this app is outlining, particularly as you research something or read through a textbook. The app allows you to create a mind map, starting with the main idea/question/thesis in the center and adding "nodes" outward. You can build off of any node and even color code them (yay OCD!) Though it's great for outlining, my favorite use for this app is when I am unsure of what direction I am going to take with an assignment. A great example is when I have to "pick a topic" to respond to from a list of discussion questions. Instead of picking one and then going to try and find the research for that question, I create a node for each question and then build out those nodes as I find information in the text. You can see in the picture that I had two possible discussions: The significance of the "Epic of Gilgamesh" to the biblical flood story or the struggles that the main character had as a leader. I set my first nodes and then began reading, as I came across a potential item for one of the questions I "added a node" and when I was done with the reading I could plainly see which question I was thoroughly ready to answer. I will also add the location of the information to the node for referencing/citing in my discussion.
This also works great for Research papers. Just make the first set of nodes the thesis' for each paragraph and then add to them as you find usable information and make note of the location.
Another great feature is that there is a companion app for the desktop which allows you to not only create MindNodes at home but sync the ones you are working with between devices.
This app is currently not available on the Android Market but the sister app there is called, "ThinkingSpace" and I found it to be equally useful in all areas.
Let me know in the comments if you are using this app or another like it and if it has been a help to you in school or not.
The best use for this app is outlining, particularly as you research something or read through a textbook. The app allows you to create a mind map, starting with the main idea/question/thesis in the center and adding "nodes" outward. You can build off of any node and even color code them (yay OCD!) Though it's great for outlining, my favorite use for this app is when I am unsure of what direction I am going to take with an assignment. A great example is when I have to "pick a topic" to respond to from a list of discussion questions. Instead of picking one and then going to try and find the research for that question, I create a node for each question and then build out those nodes as I find information in the text. You can see in the picture that I had two possible discussions: The significance of the "Epic of Gilgamesh" to the biblical flood story or the struggles that the main character had as a leader. I set my first nodes and then began reading, as I came across a potential item for one of the questions I "added a node" and when I was done with the reading I could plainly see which question I was thoroughly ready to answer. I will also add the location of the information to the node for referencing/citing in my discussion.
This also works great for Research papers. Just make the first set of nodes the thesis' for each paragraph and then add to them as you find usable information and make note of the location.
Another great feature is that there is a companion app for the desktop which allows you to not only create MindNodes at home but sync the ones you are working with between devices.
This app is currently not available on the Android Market but the sister app there is called, "ThinkingSpace" and I found it to be equally useful in all areas.
Let me know in the comments if you are using this app or another like it and if it has been a help to you in school or not.
