Have you ever heard of mind maps in Prezi, an innovative tool in these times.
There are a wide variety of tools to create and make effective presentations from scratch, a very useful and common teaching resource is mind maps. Prezi offers you the opportunity to achieve these communicative publications in a simple way, you just choose which mind map you want to use, follow a few steps and that’s it.
Although it may seem like a simple task, some people find it difficult to make mental maps and even more so if it is from an application or program. Therefore, we will explain how to make your day-to-day more practical, whether in student or business activities, using Prize mind maps.
In particular, you must have the Prezi program, create or open an account and then you can access the resources that this program provides you. Of course, it is possible to use Prezi online directly or by downloading the application, and then start preparing your work in a professional way.
Recommendations to consider before creating your mind map
Before starting to make a mind map, you must take into account certain important things or observations. Whether physical or digital, mind maps are a tool with which we can create great abstract concepts.
A mental map is ideas embodied in a schematic way, but we must focus on it. So that our objective is not vague or imprecise, we must have a main idea and secondary ones that develop the theme.
We cannot forget to connect our ideas through arrows and other specialized connectors that go according to our ideas.
Locate the main idea of ​​the topic
One of the most important recommendations for those of us who make mental maps is to have a main idea. Well, from here we will define what direction our work can take.
They must be placed in the center of the sheet or sheet used to create our map. The idea proposed by the mapper must be the most consistent and precise to the topic we choose. Perhaps when talking about economics we could use an economic graph and a savings bank.
Something more serious or extroverted would be a wise choice for those who present it, since they will know what population it is aimed at.
Create various subtopics
The subtopics will come from our main idea or title, since a single central idea will not be enough to cover everything. Through secondary, tertiary or quaternary ideas, we can explain what is not explicit at the beginning.
Commonly these are located around the main idea or title, by means of connectors and have a sequence in the direction of the hands of an analog clock.
In the same way, we can gradually detach ideas from these subtopics or secondary ideas. Breaking them down or explaining them is important when we do not want to overload an image or idea with meaning. Here we can apply the phrase where sometimes, less is more.
Don’t forget to use images
Although these mind maps are often made with slightly different techniques, it is important to consider using images. Making a mental map makes us think of images, connectors, arrows, figures and shapes.
Since the use of concepts will make it a mixed map. The importance of using images gives the connotation of visual to the concepts that we are going to use. In mind maps made in prezi we will have the opportunity to add these multimedia files.
Use ready-made templates
- Go to Prezi.com if you are going to work online, or second case if you already have it downloaded to your PC.
- Select one of the templates that Prezi offers.
- Analyze which one you prefer or which design adapts to the theme you are going to develop.
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Centralize the main idea with direct expressions, but not so precisely, so that you can expand on the other points.
- Use secondary points that are fixed as sections, highlighting points that are relevant or of serious consideration regarding the main idea. Prezi’s design makes it easy to use subpoints.
- Starting from these sections, highlight other ideas that complement or develop the secondary ideas.
- You can add colors to each section to highlight the order of ideas.
- Check through Zoom how the work is going, and as you use the application you will see other options that you may want to use.
- An excellent resource is that you can insert images, with this tool you can help visualize the idea through an image.
- You can personalize your presentation either with your own name, the emblem of the person presenting the project, whether it is a company or so for style.
A lot can vary depending on which Prezi you can use, whether it’s the free online one, but which limits you from other features. Of course you can access them by buying the plans that are available, such as the plus plans that work for academic institutions or companies.
Advantages of designing mind maps with Prezi
Every communication tool brings its own advantages, which distinguish them in some way from the other options, we present several of them.
- It is innovative: With its design it allows you to keep up with attractive presentations.
- You can make your own template.
- Organize ideas.
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Simplify all the related information in a few points.
- Display ideas visually.
- Be precise by simply clicking on the idea you want to highlight, without the need to go through slides.
- Music or videos can be added just like other apps do, further customizing your presentation.
While the conventional method of mind mapping is still useful, we’re thankful that programs like Prezi exist. Now we can prepare our presentations in a professional and very creative way, which can be adapted to the workplace and academic environment.
It is a means of visual communication, where you can create an exhibition of ideas, developed based on your own initiatives. You can make the presentation of content with a professional appearance, expose ideas in an orderly manner, which will serve as a guide while you process the information collected.
Alternative apps that can help you make mind maps
As with other programs, we should not limit ourselves when choosing which one will be right for us. Well, from Prezi, MindMeister and others like Canva can be an ideal alternative when creating mental maps
Canva: customize and create
The name Canva is already familiar to us just by listening to it. Well, it is an online program with multiple functions and applications ranging from work, artistic and educational.
Its main function is focused on the creation and design of graphic material. Mind maps, banners, informative posters and more may interest you in this application.
Its easy-to-use interface provides us with an easy-to-use tool without the need for prior knowledge.
But of course, this does not mean that its functions cannot go beyond the simple. Well, since being a complete tool, it won’t be easy for professionals to underestimate it.
It has more than 8,000 templates ready for use and among these numbers we place the mind map templates.
It will be enough to enter its official page and in the upper right corner locate the option to register. You can do it with a Google account, Facebook or just with your email and then customize our account.
Once the registration is done, we can enter a mind map template and start. Canva has a free platform that will allow us to work alone or as a team. This program has a large number of pre-designed images and models for our convenience.
But this will not stop us from creating our exclusive material, with our own images and ideas. Once everything is done, we can download and use it and if we want to edit it, we can do it.
Word and Power Point: Microsoft interfaces
If we had already heard of the Canva program, the Microsoft, Word and Power Point interfaces will be better known to us.
Recall that to his credit, both Word and PowerPoint have a large number of tools in their tabs. From shapes, figures and the ability to insert various multimedia files to our document, they make it a formidable alternative.
From Word, we can configure a simple writing sheet and modify it enough so that it is manageable as a mental map. Start by using the sheet horizontally, choosing its size, margins, and get started. From the Insert and Design tabs, we will have a good number of options to start with.
Being in Powerpoint we can create a new blank presentation and choose between the default designs. As in Word, we will get a large number of options and tools in the Insert and Design tabs.
Remember that here we will find basic tools that can be used professionally. Word and Power Point become a good ally with this mental mapping task.
Realtime Board: extension for Google Chrome
The Realtimeboard tool is a multifunctional online whiteboard for students, teachers and people in general. A multipurpose tool used for one or several people at a time. This didactic type program offers us a virtual platform that covers several purposes.
That’s right, it also works with mind maps. Since in addition to giving us the ability to add multimedia files. It will give us totally free access with 100mb of storage when working with this useful tool.
And as part of the tools that accompany the Google Docs service. It will be enough to enter and go to the RealtimeBoard option to attach to your extensions. Well, from here you will have this great online tool available to your browser.