A brief introduction to mind maps
- 1. MIND MAPS Creating and using mind maps
- 2. What is a mind map? • A visual map of a subject of topic, made up of text, images or both • A mind map presents information in a non-linear format • They can be created to represent or summarise the content of books, lectures or meetings • They can be used to stimulate thoughts and ideas • A way to generate word associations
- 3. Mind map of Heinz Beans
- 4. Why use them? Mind maps can help at the start of a project • Because they create a visual overview of a subject, you can use them to organise your thoughts and the structure of your work • They and help you to develop and ask questions about a subject • They help you see themes, patterns, relationships and the associations between ideas, events and subjects • While creating them you often find that ideas you hadn’t considered initially will come to mind
- 5. What can I use them for? During a lecture Before the lecture draw the central image for your mind map and as many branches as you can. Fill in the branches with information during the lecture Making notes from books or journals Create a visual map of a book or journal article • Create a map as your read (a ‘growing map’) • Or mind map after you have read the article or book to check understanding Organising the content of an assignment Identify the topics that you want to cover in the assignment Add as many ideas to your map as you want Edit and reorder your mind map into the order that you want Project planning Create a mind map of a major project Identify goals and objectives if you can Identify as many key topics and themes, key dates and actions You can recreate your mind map and number each branch in order of action or importance or use your original map as your plan
- 6. How to create a mind map You will need Paper – in landscape (sideways) format Coloured pens 10-20 minutes • Focus on your question • Place the main topic in the centre of the page in a circle or box– draw your question/topic if you can • Add branches from the main topic, use a different colour for each branch and make the branches curvy • Write one keyword on each branch, use an image or a word to describe your thoughts Try and use images where you can Try and limit to one word per branch
- 7. Creating a mind map • Fill in second and third level branches with thoughts about your main topics • You can show associations, relationships and deeper issues through these branches • Continue to add branches and thoughts as they arise Use images where you can Use different colours Try and restrict each branch to one word
- 8. • You can create a mind map by hand or using online software (some of which are free) Online tools iMindmap http://thinkbuzan.com/ Mind Genius http://www.mindgenius.com/ Coggle Free to use, access with a Google account iThoughtsHD Mind mapping app Popplet http://popplet.com/ Not strictly mind mapping software - but similar. Mind map app
- 9. Resources Books Buzan, T. and Harrison, J. (2011) Buzan's study skills : mind maps, memory techniques, speed reading. Harlow: BBC Active Buzan, T. and Buzan, B. (2000) The mind map book. Rev. edn. London: BBC Worldwide Useful websites Think Buzan http://thinkbuzan.com/how-to-mind-map/ Includes a section on how to mind map and free online course
- 10. References • Mind map basics photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeanlouis_zimmermann/3041475977/">jean- louis zimmermann</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a> • Heinz brand spider https://www.flickr.com/photos/lex-photographic/8737942722/in/set-72157632200422410/ with kind permission of Lex Mckee