Free Cmap software rivals Inspiration

"A research institute in Pensacola, Fla., is taking concept-mapping software designed in part to preserve scientists' knowledge and is giving it to schools worldwide at no cost, as a tool to help children learn. The move could threaten some vendors that offer similar concept-mapping software for a fee--most notably Inspiration Software Inc., which has based its entire business model on selling a similar type of product.

The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) designed its concept-mapping software, called Cmap Tools, to map out scientists' knowledge in diagram form. IMCH is providing the software at no cost to schools and is training teachers in Panama, the first country to adopt Cmap Tools nationwide, in how to use the software with their students....

"Having a tool that allows the scientist to express that [knowledge] is no different than trying to figure out what little Johnny knows about volcanoes in the fifth grade," Canas said.

Cmap Tools can be used to assess student knowledge, encourage thinking and problem solving instead of rote learning, organize information for writing projects, and help teachers write new curricula, IHMC officials say."