Mind Mapping with Whiteboard

Mind mapping is a visual way of capturing and organising ideas, from a central topic or idea. Branches are used to connect ideas, and colour and visual to spark creativity.
This guide shows you how to create a mind map with Microsoft Whiteboard.

Create a whiteboard

• Access Whiteboard:
  • Web browser: navigate to Whiteboard (external link) and login with your VU username and password.
  • Teams meeting: in a meeting, select Share, then Whiteboard, see Share a whiteboard in Microsoft Teams (external link).
• Select New Whiteboard and name your new board.

Create your mind map

• Start in the centre: from the tool bar, choose a shape (eg circle), then click in the middle of the canvas to add.
• Add main topic: double-click on the shape, to add your main topic.
• Add keywords: add additional shapes and text, to brainstorm topics.
• Connect ideas: Use the line tool, to connect topics with the main topic, then branch out to add sub-topics.
• Use Colour: to group topics themes.
• Add visual: add images, video or links to visually explore ideas.

Export your mind map for assignment submission

• On the top right from the setting cog (below your name), select Export to save your mind map as an image.
• Add your image to a document or PPT presentation, and submit as instructed.

Additional Resources

• Getting started with Microsoft Whiteboard (external link) by Microsoft.
• Mind mapping (external link)  by Learning Lab, RMIT.
• Make your own mind maps (external link)  by Education Express, UTS.

Other Mind Mapping Tools

• Canva: Create a mind map online (external link) by Canva
• Padlet for Students: Create a free account (with up to 3 Padlet boards), and create a Freeform board, or a Brainstorming Web Sandpit at Padlet.com (external link).
• Miro for Students: apply and create a free account (work with up to 10 team members) at Miro Education (external link)  and Create and connect ideas with a concept map maker (external link)  by Miro.