Bubble.us

Bubble.us scored an 18/24 with our assessment rubric.  It is a simple and user-friendly app. where users create collaborative mind maps.

The downsides from our rubric was limitations to email support for free version and lack of functionality within learning management systems, although it would be easy enough to post a link to the website in any LMS.  Unfortunately, the free version also limits the user to only text maps withought the ability to edit collaboratively.  The primary advantages are that it has very easy functionality once signed up with easy collaboration between any other users.  Image and other file sharing is only available for premium versions.  Bubble.us would be a nice tool for a collaborative PBE learning activity focused on collaborative brainstorming but the best aspects of this app are accessed with paid subscription.

	Bubble.us	Dropbox	Google Drive	Padlet
Purpose and ease of use	Creates mind maps that are collaborative on their website 4	Download app Can be editing docs within 15 minutes 3	Some tutoring and practice needed for file sharing and collaboration 2	virtual wall to share information and media 4
Accessibility	3 mind maps free any device 4	others must have app 3	Need free google account 4	need to sign up with email- free 4
Support	email support for free subscription 2	chat, email, phone with paid subscription.  Email only for trial verison 2	2	4
Audience	global possible 4	must have app 3	4	3
Media Formats	4	4	4	4
Compatibility with Learning/Course Management Systems	can be posted or linked but collaborative function is only on website 2	does not sinc to LMSs but files can be shared 2	compatible with a few including Google Classroom, Schoology, and others 3	can be posted or linked but collaborative function is only on Padlet website 2
TOTAL COMMUNICATION TOOL SCORE	Bubble.us 18	Dropbox 19	Google Drive 19	Padlet 21