Strategy

This case study adopted a straightforward approach to explore how students responded to the use of Inspiration Mind Mapping software at TUS. A short questionnaire was first distributed to students before the demonstration in order to gather information about their previous experience with mind mapping and their familiarity with visual learning tools. This initial survey helped to establish a baseline understanding of students’ attitudes and confidence levels prior to being introduced to the software.

Following this, a live in-class demonstration was delivered to first-year Applied Social Care students. During the session, students were shown how the software could be used to organise ideas, visually represent connections between concepts, and support planning for academic work. After the demonstration, students completed a second questionnaire designed to measure any changes in their views, confidence, and interest in using mind mapping as a learning strategy. This before-and-after comparison evaluated how exposure to the tool influenced students’ perceptions of its usefulness.

The project was later expanded through an online training session with a lecturer and students from LSAD and the OER Librarian. Delivering training online enabled engagement with a new cohort of students and collection of additional feedback on software use. It also offered valuable insight into how Inspiration Mind Mapping could be applied within a different academic discipline and learning environment. The inclusion of a second cohort helped broaden the scope of the case study and provided a wider perspective on the potential benefits of mind mapping for student learning.