Thinkature

The technology I am exploring is "Thinkature," an online concept mapping technology. At first, it may seem like a glorified flow chart creator, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. Thinkature allows for real-time collaboration. This means that if you decide to share your workspace with a friend, you can both edit the workspace at the same time from different computers. Thinkature takes the collaboration idea a step further by allowing users with headsets to use voice communication. A chat box is also provided for users without headsets to still be able to actively communicate.

The interface is also extremely easy to understand. When creating a new account, a tutorial workspace is provided, but this is hardly necessary since clicking around for a minute or two in a new workspace quickly allows the user to gain an almost complete understanding of the interface. Almost all editing can be done in the workspace with your mouse, which I found to be incredibly user-friendly. Want to create a new text box? Double click in the open space. Want to edit that text box? Hold your mouse over the box and the editing options appear around it. There are only 8 buttons that are not part of the workspace, and each has an optional keyboard shortcut for even faster access.

This is an amazing new website with a lot of potential for easy use in class collaboration, group projects, and even just a new way for a professor to give a lecture and notes. I've created my own (somewhat boring) workspace here.