Physical Webbing: Collaborative kinesthetic three-dimensional Mind Maps®

Abstract

Mind Mapping has predominantly been used by individuals or collaboratively in groups as a paper-based or computer-generated learning strategy. In an effort to make Mind Mapping kinesthetic, collaborative, and three-dimensional, an innovative pedagogical strategy, termed Physical Webbing, was devised. In the Physical Web activity, groups collaboratively build concrete (physical) representations of content using kinesthetic or participatory manipulatives. The theoretical underpinnings of the Physical Web include the scientific findings on the physicality of learning and Papert’s constructionist theory. A case study example of the implementation of the Physical Webbing process delineates a specific application and provides procedures for replication and expansion of the strategy. Qualitative analysis of the attitudinal surveys following the activity provided data regarding students’ preference for the Physical Webbing activity over the traditional lecture, acceptance of participatory manipulatives, perceived learning and attitudes towards collaborative kinesthetic three-dimensional Mind Mapping.