Overview

This project introduced Inspiration Mind Mapping software to support student learning through visual and structured approaches. The idea came from recognising that many students often struggle with organising their thoughts, planning assignments, and making sense of complex information. Traditional note-taking does not suit all learners, highlighting the need for more flexible and inclusive methods.

Mind mapping was introduced through SATLE Funding in June 2025, as a digital tool to help address these challenges. Visual learning methods can help students organise information, recognise connections, and engage more actively with study material. Inspiration was chosen as it allows students to plan, organise, and present their work in a clear and visual format.

The project was carried out in TUS and involved a pilot with first-year Applied Social Care students. Students took part in a live classroom demonstration of the software and were asked to provide feedback on their experience. The aim was to see how useful they found the tool for tasks such as brainstorming, planning assignments, and organising information.

To broaden the scope of the project, an additional online training session was delivered with students from Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD). This allowed the project to explore how the tool could be used in a different discipline, particularly in a more creative context. Feedback from both groups of students was used to understand how effective the software was in supporting learning, engagement, and confidence.