Please vist Tony Buzan s site for several great Mind-Mapping Products

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1 Mind Mapping To build a Mind Map is to build a visual association of ideas --words and key phrases that express your important thought around a core idea or ideas. We use this as a large group exercise to Scan participants' thoughts and build a context for later work. It works like this: start with a core idea--write it on the WorkWall, large, and circle it. This is your hub. Ask participants to share what ideas they associate with it. Scribe each as a word or short phrase around the hub. Link similar comments, or comments-on-comments, with a line or arrow, and allow these branches to build out from our hub. If appropriate, introduce other "hubs" to explore a set of related ideas. The key to a good Mind Map is, of course, the selection of the hub ideas. As a Scan exercise, this is usually related to a group's identity or mission. It allows a group to Scan and share its thinking without forcing participants to declare "we are this" and "we are not this." It's often much easier to say, "that leads me to think of this (because I think that's an important part of who we are)." We use Mind Mapping informally, as described. It was developed by Tony Buzan and his Brain Foundation as a technique to improve memory and creativity by using both left brain (analytical thinking) and right brain (holistic, visual thinking). Buzan invites the user to develop additional conventions to make Mind Mapping a more complete system of note taking and thinking--providing special meaning to different types of arrows, branching arrangements, shapes, geometric figures, colors, etc. Please vist Tony Buzan s site for several great Mind-Mapping Products How to do a Mind Map Mind mapping (or concept mapping) involves writing down a central idea and thinking up new and related ideas which radiate out from the centre. By focussing on key ideas written down in your own words, and then looking for branches out and connections between the ideas, you are mapping knowledge in a manner which will help you understand and remember new information. Look for relationships Use lines, colours, arrows, branches or some other way of showing connections between the ideas generated on your mind map. These relationships may be important in you understanding new information or in constructing a structured essay plan. By Content from Tony Buzan s Mind-Mapping site. Page 1 of 6

2 personalising the map with your own symbols and designs you will be constructing visual and meaningful relationships between ideas which will assist in your recall and understanding. Draw quickly on unlined paper without pausing, judging or editing All of these things promote linear thinking and the idea of mind mapping is to think creatively and in a non-linear manner. There will be plenty of time for modifying the information later on but at this stage it is important to get every possibility into the mind map. Sometimes it is one of those obscure possibilities that may become the key to your knowledge of a topic. Write down key ideas Some students find that using capital letters encourages them to get down only the key points. Capitals are also easier to read in a diagram. You may, however, wish to write down some explanatory notes in lower case. Some students do this when they revisit the mind map at a later date while others write in such things as assessment criteria in this way. Put main idea in the centre Most students find it useful to turn their page on the side and do a mind map in "landscape" style. With the main idea or topic in the middle of the page this gives the maximum space for other ideas to radiate out from the centre. Leave lots of space Some of the most useful mind maps are those which are added to over a period of time. After the initial drawing of the mind map you may wish to highlight things, add information or add questions for the duration of a subject right up until exam time. For this reason it is a good idea to leave lots of space. The Origins of Mind Mapping Mind Mapping is a creative way of recording ideas that was popularised by the author and Psychologist Tony Buzan in the early 1970s. Buzan pointed out that the normal linear methods of taking notes and recording ideas do not make efficient use of the brain s powers. The Mind Map is a method of recording information or ideas in a dynamic way that mirrors the brain s processes. Basic principles of the Mind Map The Mind Map has four essential characteristics: The main topic of the Mind Map is summarised as a central image, word or phrase. Content from Tony Buzan s Mind-Mapping site. Page 2 of 6

3 The main themes of the subject radiate from the central image as branches. Branches comprise of a key word, image or topic presented on an associated line they divide out into further higher level sub branches. The branches and sub-branches form a connected structure. To aid the process of memory and recall, a Mind Map makes use of: Colour - this is used to differentiate areas of the Mind Map Visual images - these are used throughout to illustrate different themes and topics Advantages of using Mind Maps to record information and ideas Compared with linear methods of taking notes and recording ideas (i.e. listing text ideas down the page) Mind Maps have the following advantages: They allow a large number of complex ideas to be compressed into a single page. Mind Maps are created in an organic and flexible way - links can be drawn between any items or sections. New ideas can be added in any direction, so they are good for brainstorming. Because it mirrors the way in which the brain works and incorporates colour, visual images and compressed ideas, a Mind Map is much easier to memorise and recall than a linear list. Applying Mind Maps to career planning and job hunting Mind maps present an excellent way of organising your own ideas about yourself on paper. This can be useful at all stages of the career planning or job hunting process. Mind Maps can be used to do the following: Brainstorm lists of potential networks and contacts you can use for researching options. Brainstorm evidence of your competencies, when preparing CVs and Application Forms. Map out the structure of a CV, Covering Letter or section of an Application Form. Prepare an overall picture of yourself - this is particularly useful in preparing for interviews. Prepare answers to specific questions you might expect in interview (e.g.: "tell me about your strengths/weaknesses", "Why are you applying this job?"). After memorising the Mind Maps you will find it easier to recall information/answers in the interview Content from Tony Buzan s Mind-Mapping site. Page 3 of 6

4 Mind Mapping Examples Business Mind Mapping for Business Overview of the one day Mind Mapping for Business workshop run by Buzan licensed instructors. Learning Accelerated Learning Overview of two day workshop, Accelerated Learning for Trainers. New Ways of Thinking - Short Presentation Short presentation introducing the brain, memory and Mind Mapping Creative Thinking Six Thinking Hats An overview of the popular approach from Edward de Bono Exploring/Attacking Problems - things you may want to include Some ideas for getting started when using Mind Maps to aid problem solving SCAMPER This is a way of challenging, in a structured way, all aspects of a product, service, process or situation. Content from Tony Buzan s Mind-Mapping site. Page 4 of 6

5 Questions A simple way to increase understanding and perspectives is to ask questions Presentation on Elements of Creativity We use this on several of our courses. The tutor does a short verbal presentation which the delegates Mind Map. Book Summaries Effective Innovation - John Adair An overview of the key points and learning from the book. Orbiting the Giant Hairball - Gordon MacKenzie An overview of the key points and learning form the book. General Plan for a Business Trip An example of a well structured Mind Map prepared for planning a business trip. Summary of key learning points from an interviewing skills course Notes handed to delegates at the end of the course. Content from Tony Buzan s Mind-Mapping site. Page 5 of 6

6 Uses of Mind Maps A summary of some of the many uses of Mind Maps Principles of Mind Maps An overview of the key "laws" of Mind Mapping, all of which aim to maximise the usefulness of the technique. What is Happiness? A personal exploration of the subject by Paul Foreman who sent us this fantastic Mind Map. Paul is an illustrator and his website is Preparation for telephone negotiation - booking advertising space A quick Mind Map prepared in advance of making the telephone call. During the call, the responses were added Content from Tony Buzan s Mind-Mapping site. Page 6 of 6