Mind mapping in foreign language classes: review of online mind map constructors

Abstract

The article deals with the peculiarities of the educational technology of mind mapping, reviews several digital applications for creating mind maps, and practically proves the effectiveness of using mind mapping in foreign language classes.The digitization of the educational process, the globalization of knowledge and the availability of educational information arrays, in combination with quarantine restrictions and the war in Ukraine, have presented significant obstacles to foreign language teachers. Although mind mapping technology is relatively new, it has many supporters among linguists. The essence of educational technology based on compliance with the radial type of brain perception of an array of information, which is more natural than linear, is analysed in detail in the article. The appropriate systematicity, structure, simplicity and adaptability of this method of material demonstration, in contrast to the traditional ones, were delivered through the characterization of the main elements of the mental map structure and the basic rules for its creation. The paper provides an overview of three primary online mind map constructors (Gitmind, Mindomo, and Coggle) according to several requirements, adequate for teaching foreign language grammar to first-year students majoring in “Philology”. Based on the review of the basic and target characteristics of mind map applications, the article’s authors recommended the Gitmind constructor and justified the choice. An example of the practical application of mental maps and the application in foreign language classes was also presented in the article. The stages of creating a teaching mind map for presenting a grammar topic were described. The article presents the results of the final survey of students involved in learning with the help of mind maps, which proved the expediency and effectiveness of using mind maps in teaching foreign languages in general, and the optimality of using a digital mind map constructor in particular.