Can on-line mind maps enhance Learning & Teaching?

I wanted to know if I could use an on-line mind map in place of a handout or PowerPoint for use in an art class.  I got thinking and recalled two examples of mind maps used in contemporary artworks (shown below).  These formed the inspiration for making my own mind map on The Birth of Modern Art.  

Jeremy Deller, History of the World, 1997 - 2004

From Tate website

Peter Davies, 'Super Star F***er', 2001

From Liverpool Museum website.

The examples show how creative and expressive a hand drawn mind map can be. They are exciting and engage you in looking and wanting to learn more.

The first on-line mind map I tried making using Bubbl.us, looked dead as a flat balloon in comparison.  Mindmup and Stormboard were similarly uninspiring and also a hassle to sign into.  So let's focus on a few that I engaged well with.

Creately

I worked intuitively with Creately; it was fun, quick to get going and best of all - very creative. (For dates and names of movements I used about.com which I would recommend to students.) As a first attempt I think it is promising and will develop this to use in class.

text2mindmap was easy to use and quick to start. The mind map is created by typing a list at the side panel of the screen. To have 'trees' organised you simply press tab.  It's perfect for building a quick clear mind map with simple objectives.

popplet is great too. I love the way you can easily embed video from YouTube or Vimeo.  It's simple and swift to build and could work well in a classroom.  A great alternative to PowerPoint; you just click on Presentation mode.

popplet

References

1. http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/salcedo-shibboleth-i-p20334

2. http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/shibboleth

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIJDn2MAn9I