Mind Maps

A Powerful Approach to Note-Taking
http://www.mindmapping.com

About Mind Maps

Mind Maps were popularized by author and consultant, Tony Buzan. They use a two-dimensional structure, instead of the list format conventionally used to take notes.

Mind Maps are more compact than conventional notes, often taking up one side of paper. This helps you to make associations easily, and generate new ideas. If you find out more information after you have drawn a Mind Map, then you can easily integrate it with little disruption.

More than this, Mind Mapping helps you break large projects or topics down into manageable chunks, so that you can plan effectively without getting overwhelmed and without forgetting something important.

A good Mind Map shows the "shape" of the subject, the relative importance of individual points, and the way in which facts relate to one another. This means that they're very quick to review, as you can often refresh information in your mind just by glancing at one. In this way, they can be effective mnemonics - remembering the shape and structure of a Mind Map can give you the cues you need to remember the information within it. As such, they engage much more of your brain in the process of assimilating and connecting information than conventional notes do.

When created using colors and images or drawings, a Mind Map can even resemble a work of art!

Uses

Mind Maps are useful for:

•    Brainstorming - individually, and as a group.

•    Summarizing information, and note taking.

•    Consolidating information from different research sources.

•    Thinking through complex problems.

•    Presenting information in a format that shows the overall structure of your subject.

•    Studying and memorizing information.

Drawing Basic Mind Maps

To draw a Mind Map, follow these steps:

1. Write the title of the subject you're exploring in the center of the page, and draw a circle around it. This is shown by the circle marked in figure 1, below.

(Our simple example shows someone brainstorming actions needed to deliver a successful presentation.)

Figure 1

2. As you come across major subdivisions or subheadings of the topic (or important facts that relate to the subject) draw lines out from this circle. Label these lines with these subdivisions or subheadings. (See figure 2, below.)

Figure 2

3. As you "burrow" into the subject and uncover another level of information (further subheadings, or individual facts) belonging to the subheadings above, draw these as lines linked to the subheading lines. These are shown in figure 3.

Figure 3

4. Then, for individual facts or ideas, draw lines out from the appropriate heading line and label them. These are shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4

5. As you come across new information, link it in to the Mind Map appropriately.

A complete Mind Map may have main topic lines radiating in all directions from the center. Sub-topics and facts will branch off these, like branches and twigs from the trunk of a tree. You don't need to worry about the structure you produce, as this will evolve of its own accord.

Mind maps use in education

Educators

1. Preparing a course

Structure lecture notes for the year

Make a course plan and set objectives for each month, semester and overall year

Upload notes to a map to be shared for student access

2. Monitoring student participation

Monitor students participation in group situations by using the history view feature*

Mind mapping links home and school activities. Home assignments can be set and completed within a mind map

3. Collaborating with other educators

Share your ideas with colleagues and also with other mind mappers all over the world

Collaborate with teachers from around the world teaching the same grade or course

Publish your mind maps in the public library or clone mind maps from the library to your own account

Students

1. Projects and assignments

Manage individual or group projects by creating a project plan and setting deadlines, and reminders

Create a mind map for a project or assignment; make a node for every category. Quickly build a lot of information on the subject before writing

Brainstorm with your group and watch all changes happen in real-time. Participants don’t need to be in the same room, building or even the same country for that matter.

2. Note taking

Break large amounts of information into more manageable categories which can be studied individually

Take notes in lectures, classes and talks using multiple devices i.e. iPhone, iPad, Android Tablets and smartphones

Share and develop notes with friends

3. Exam preparation

Create a study plan mind map and set tasks to be completed. You can link to mind maps created for when note taking on each subject

Utilize your study time and have a visual guide on how you will achieve your study goals