Spicynodes

Many of our students are using [|Prezi] for concept-map-based presentations. However, [|Prezi] was sometimes difficult to work with. Now there is another tool: [|Spicy Nodes].

Spicy Nodes is still in beta, and it is totally free. You can create concept-map-based presentations very easily and the results are visually appealing. You can add visualizations to your blog, create a mindmap or organizational chart, or encourage students to delve deeper. Even better, you can embed your presentation into wikis and blogs.

SpicyNodes fuels students’ imaginations, enabling them to create their own nodemaps via a free, easy-to-use online authoring interface. They can integrate media they know and love, such as images, YouTube videos, and music, while also incorporating text and catchy headlines. Best of all, students can share their nodemaps with others. You can browse the [|Teaching Guide and sample lessons] for ideas.

The Advantages:
 * **Richly visual and interactive**. Students can integrate information in a way that’s appealing and easy to navigate, enriching the learning experience.
 * **Appeal to various learning styles**. SpicyNodes is especially appealing to nonlinear thinkers and kinesthetic learners.
 * **Engage students’ creativity**. Integrating multimedia with text, students can draw upon video, audio, and photos to bring their concepts to life.
 * **Easy to learn**. SpicyNodes is easy to author, without any programming required, yet it produces inviting concept maps.
 * **Do more with less**. SpicyNodes is free to use, and offers affordable memberships for educators who need to track nodemaps for multiple classes.
 * **A sensible use of technology**. Your students click web links, text their friends, and twitter. SpicyNodes takes this concept of hyperlinks and short messages to the classroom, allowing students to display ideas, events, and facts in concert with one another.