The resources I reviewed include Exploratree, Webspiration, and Education Oasis. All three are useful online mapping tools.
Exploratree provides a wealth of ready-made thinking guides, while still giving users the option to submit their own guides. The guides can be printed or used online. Users have the capability to edit and add graphics to the guides. As a first grade teacher, I could use this with my students to create a very simple idea web. I don't feel comfortable with the site's design to do more with my students. It is a little complicated for younger grades.
Webspiration is very similar to Kidspiration and Inspiration. This version is totally online, which allows for collaboration between users. Documents created on Webspiration are downloadable to Inspiration, which offers more advanced editing features. My school district has purchased licenses for In/Kidspiration, so my students are already familiar with the Webspiration style of mapping. This is an ideal online mapping tool for me to use in my classroom.
Education Oasis is the tool I liked the least. It only offers 58 pre-set organizers. The available organizers must be printed to be used because there is no editing feature. This tool is not designed for collaboration. The site set-up is user friendly, with categories to organize the options. As I looked through the Misc. section, I noticed that there were several organizers that are a part of the CRISS Strategies that my school uses.
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