UNIT 2: COGGLING BOOKS

2.2.1 Theory content

Mind maps are used in teaching to help students organize the information they learn in a clear way.

We could define a Mind Map as a diagram for representing tasks, words, concepts, or items linked to and arranged around a central concept or subject using a non-linear graphical layout that allows the student to build an intuitive framework around a central concept. Mind maps can be done digitally by using platforms such as Coggle where information is turned  into a colorful, memorable and highly organized diagram.

2.2.2 Practical Activity

Step 1:

Workshop: INTRODUCTION to” Coggle” -reading and comprehending a text – making mental maps. The activity is introduced by the teacher  through  a step by step  tutorial. The group leaders are chosen and the teams formed by the teachers.

Step 2:

ACTIVITY: Coggling the books – Humanities

The teams choose their names and start with the first coggle: students are given a literary text (for example“ A sound of thunder”) that they read on  paper then they extract the essential information/main ideas of the text and start to think about a mindmap.

Length of the activity: about 2 hours

Short break

After the break they create their first coggle on their laptop using different colors and lines to connect the main ideas: where, what, when, why and how using the app.

The maps are sent to the teacher’s mail or shared through ‘Coggle’.

Step 3:

EVALUATION: The teachers evaluate the students’ works: they control the work created by the students, evaluating the content, the details, the connections and the effectiveness of the product. Then they give them feedback.

Step 4:

According to the feedback the teams discuss and reorganize their teamwork procedures.

Variations of the activity

1. Coggling the Books with Sciences

Students are given a scientific text “Microscopic water bears could be the first interstellar space travelers” that they read on  paper then they extract the essential information/main ideas of the text. Then they send the map back to their teachers (or share it with them through Coggle).

1. Coggling the books with Geopolitics

Russia – Ukraine war

EVALUATION: The teachers write a concise evaluation for the new  works and   give more details to those groups that still don’t fully develop the skills needed to create a mindmap and to guide them in their learning process.

Step 5:

Introduction of a  self-assessment test created online by the teachers to evaluate their soft skills and think about their personal improvement in their knowledge and cooperation.

2.2.3. Glossary

Organize information into a clear, colourful diagram.