This tutorial will provide you with steps for creating a mind map with Microsoft® Visio®, so that your students can organize and visually analyze the information. This tutorial is designed so that you can set up mind mapping formats before or during your lesson depending on your curriculum objectives and the age of your students. View the sample mind map in the box to the right before you get started. Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Visio, the following steps may be slightly different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps. To Create a Mind Map in Visio:1. | Start Microsoft Visio. | 2. | On the File menu, point to New, point to Flowchart, and then click Mind Mapping Diagram. | 3. | Press and drag the "central theme" shape from the Mind Mapping Diagram Shapes stencil onto the drawing page. |
Note You can replace the Central Theme text with your own text by double-clicking on the words and entering your own theme. Adding keywords and additional ideas1. | Drag an Auto-size box from the Mind Mapping Diagram Shapes stencil to the drawing area, position it, and then type in your text while the box is selected. The auto-size box automatically adjusts its size to the text you enter.
| 2. | To add or adjust a pointer from the auto-sized box to a location on the mind map (such as the central theme box), click the auto-sized box and drag the yellow control handle. | 3. | To add symbols—question marks, dollar signs, smiling faces, frowning faces, light bulbs, lightning bolts, scales, and other elements-click and drag the symbol from the stencil to the drawing area. |
Grouping ideasTo connect related ideas or subjects, attach boxes to the central theme box. Then, interconnect related boxes by dragging the branch handle. 
To group ideas on your mind map with clouds, or to show links and connections with arrows and curves, use the shapes on the Mind Mapping Diagram Shapes stencil. You can also use this stencil to add shapes and symbols to represent concepts or to record your team's reaction to ideas. Additionally, you can add clouds or shapes that represent links. The following table illustrates some examples of diagram shapes and possible ways to use them: 
| Groupings among ideas | 
| Links between ideas, concepts, or actions | 
| Uncertainty or a need for further research | 
| Costs involved | 
| Popularity of an idea or a positive reaction | 
| Negative reaction | 
| Need for a decision |
To change the transparency of a cloud or other shape so that you can see the text behind it or to make a shape transparent, select the shape, and on the Format menu, click Fill. In the Fill dialog box, adjust the Transparency, and then click OK. To preview how the transparency looks, click Apply. Note You may have to format the transparency for the fill, font, and line depending on the shape. 
See full-sized image
To save a Visio Mind Map1. | On the File menu, click Save As. | 2. | In the Save As dialog box, move to the folder where you want to save the diagram, and then open the Save As folder. | 3. | In the File name box, type a name for the mind map. | 4. | Click Save. | 5. | In the Properties dialog box, on the Summary tab, type information that will help you identify the file. Click OK. |
Adding photos and other images1. | To use clip-art images, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?CTT=6&Origin=EC790020111033 | 2. | Put your cursor over the object you want to copy. | 3. | Right-click the image, and then click Copy. | 4. | Open the Visio mind map where you want to paste the data. | 5. | Right-click the drawing page and click Paste. | • | You can resize the image and move it to where you want to move it on the drawing page. 
|
|
© 2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This tutorial is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Companies, names, and/or data used in screens and sample output are fictitious, unless otherwise noted. Microsoft and Encarta are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
| |
