Mind Mapping:
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Mind mapping is a graphical way to arrange a topic onto a piece of
paper. Visually, it looks very much like a stylised 'spider-diagram',
but contains much more thought and care in it's spatial arrangement.Mind mapping is a visual form of note taking that offers an overview of a
topic and its complex information, allowing students to comprehend,
create new ideas and build connections. Through the use of colors,
images and words, mind mapping encourages students to begin with a
central idea and expand outward to more in-depth sub-topics.The Mind Mapping Tool is a designed to help students organize ideas, as
part of studying, conducting research, or brainstorming. It uses a simple interface to create graphical representations of linked information.
What is a mind map?
A Mind Map is similar to a road map to help you on your journey. It will provide an overview or overall picture of a particular subject and help you plan your route or choices. The Mind Map stores large amounts of information efficiently. It helps develop new brain skills, which are often overlooked by traditional teaching methods. A mind map is a visual representation of hierarchical information that includes a central idea surrounded by connected branches of associated topics.
How the brain links in with Mind Mapping
Mind Mapping uses the whole brain to help generate ideas. The cerebral cortex (cerebrum) of our brain, or 'thinking cap' as it is sometimes called, consists of a left and right side. The left side of the brain mainly focuses on words, logic, lists, analysis and numbers, whereas the right side of our brain focuses on such areas as rhythm, imagination, colour, images, dimension and day dreaming.
How to Mind Map:
To create your first Mind Map, you will need a large white plain sheet of paper and some coloured pens. There is another electronic mind-map. It is called Free-mind map program.
A Mind Map uses four key characteristics:
- Central image for the subject.
- Main themes radiate from the central image.
- Branches hold the key word/image.
- Smaller branches form a connected structure.
- Use of Mind Mapping:
The following list highlights just some of the uses of Mind Maps:
- taking notes in meetings;
- generating ideas and thinking creatively;
- planning projects, organizing processes, tracking progress;
- preparing a presentation or essay/report;
- learning/studying – note taking, review, recall and exam preparation;
- decision making - prioritizing, clarification e.g. solving problems;
- preparing key documentation for reports or projects.
I personally use Mind Maps to prepare presentations, run training courses, write documents, prepare reports and learn new material.
Benefits of Mind Maps
- Help students brainstorm and explore any idea, concept, or problem
- Facilitate better understanding of relationships and connections between ideas and concepts
- Make it easy to communicate new ideas and thought processes
- Allow students to easily recall information
- Help students take notes and plan tasks
- Make it easy to organize ideas and concepts.
Educators and students have been drawing concept maps and mind maps on paper for many years. Visual software applications, in particular mind mapping tools, have automated this process, making it more efficient to brainstorm concepts as ideas or branches. This allows for the creation of much larger mind maps, and the ability to easily re-organized branches by dragging and dropping them around the map. Furthermore, some mind mapping software applications integrate with MS Office, allowing students to convert their ideas into other documents such as Word or PowerPoint. Mind mapping for education is perfect for:
- Brainstorming sessions
- Visualizing concepts
- Improving critical thinking
- Improving reading and writing skills
- Advanced research papers or graduate projects
- Outlining written documents
- Storyboarding presentations
How to Mind Map
All mind maps begin with a main concept or idea that the rest of the map revolves around, so choosing that idea or topic is the first step. Begin by creating an image or writing a word that represents that first main idea.
From that main idea, create branches (as many as needed), that each represent a single word that relates to the main topic. It’s helpful to use different colors and images to differentiate the branches and sub-topics.
Then, create sub-branches that stem from the main branches to further expand on ideas and concepts. These sub-branches will also contain words that elaborate on the topic of the branch it stems from. This helps develop and elaborate on the overall theme of the mind map. Including images and sketches can also be helpful in brainstorming and creating the sub-branch topics.
Mind maps can be created on paper but are more easily and fluidly created on a computer with mind mapping software such as Inspiration.
Mind Maps in Education and Teaching with Mind MapsMind mapping is a beneficial learning tool to help students brainstorm any topic and think creatively. Mind maps are particularly helpful in the writing process and provide students with a natural way of thinking and building thoughts on a story plot or theme.
Mind maps also provide teachers with insight into their students’ thought process regarding a specific topic. By asking students to create mind maps demonstrating their comprehension of a concept, teachers are able to understand what a student’s prior knowledge was and how well the student understands the assignment or the material being taught. This is a very effective way of evaluating students’ understanding.Mind Mapping Strategies for Teachers
Pre-class:
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Planning: Whether its lesson plans, design of your class curriculum for the school year or planning an assignment timeline, Mind Maps give you a clear and visual overview of what needs to be covered.
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Organizing: If you’re the type of person who regularly jots down ideas and thoughts, Mind Maps are the perfect tool to create structure and organization of a topic.
In-class:
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Teaching: Online Mind Maps can be used in class to brainstorm and generate discussions. This will encourage students to participate but also to fully understand a topic and its nuances by creating connections between ideas.
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Hand-outs: Mind Maps that have been created online can easily be printed and shared with students. Notes in the Mind Map can built on by students in class.
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Presentations: A brilliant way to develop student’s communication skills is through presentations. However, students can easily become bored listening to others present. Mind Maps act as visual information providers and encourage the audience to engage with the material that is being presented. Easily create an interactive Mind Map online with this free Mind Mapping tool, ExamTime.
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Creativity: Essentially a Mind Map is a blank canvas; why not have some fun in your classroom? Get the creative juices flowing by throwing your students a silly idea and asking them how this can be achieved. Not only will this exercise encourage creativity, but it will also help students think for themselves and have some fun with it!
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Learning: Mind Maps have been embraced in the realm of education as a learning tool which help students reinforce knowledge by making connections between different areas and delving in-depth into an area.
Outside class:
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Collaboration: The new generation of “Digital Citizens” are highly adaptable to change and expect to use technology as part of their education. Students can easily work together on group projects or assignments using free online study tools such as ExamTime where you can share your Mind Map with friends or a group of people.
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Assessment: A great way to use Mind Maps for assessment is to ask students to express their ideas about a topic in a Mind Map before and after a class. Students will retain the information better and it will also reassure teachers that students remember and understand the knowledge.
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Comprehension: Analyzing study material by reflecting on what you have learned is key to fully comprehending new information. Encourage students to delve into the material and see how far they can go – a Mind Map can develop into several ideas which can branch out into new Mind Maps from each node.
With the availability of online Mind Mapping tools, it’s
now even easier to capitalize on the opportunities discussed above.
Remember, students have grown up with technology more so than you so
introduce them to the technology and let the possibilities fly!
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