Difference between revisions of "Mind Mapping"

Difference between revisions of "Mind Mapping"

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{{Term|MIND MAPPING|A [[Learning Methodologies|Learning methodology]] that consists of drawing [[diagrams]] used to represent words, ideas, tasks, processes or other items. It is a non-linear way of organizing information and a technique that allows to capture the natural flow of ideas. Each idea or fact is written down and then linked by lines or curves to its major or minor (or following or previous) idea or fact, thus creating a web of relationships. Its purpose is to focus attention, and to capture and frame knowledge to facilitate sharing of ideas and concepts.
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{{Term|MIND MAPPING|A [[Learning Methodologies|Learning methodology]] that consists of drawing [[diagrams]] used to represent words, ideas, tasks, processes or other items. It is a non-linear way of organizing information and a technique that allows to capture the natural flow of ideas. It starts with a topic and then each idea or fact is written down and then linked by lines or curves to its major or minor (or following or previous) idea or fact, thus creating a web of relationships. Its purpose is to focus attention, and to capture and frame knowledge to facilitate sharing of ideas and concepts.
 
Mind maps can be used to:
 
Mind maps can be used to:
 
*Summarize information
 
*Summarize information

Revision as of 15:01, 10 October 2008

Term2.png MIND MAPPING
A Learning methodology that consists of drawing diagrams used to represent words, ideas, tasks, processes or other items. It is a non-linear way of organizing information and a technique that allows to capture the natural flow of ideas. It starts with a topic and then each idea or fact is written down and then linked by lines or curves to its major or minor (or following or previous) idea or fact, thus creating a web of relationships. Its purpose is to focus attention, and to capture and frame knowledge to facilitate sharing of ideas and concepts.

Mind maps can be used to:

  • Summarize information
  • Convey information from different sources
  • Think throught complex problems
  • Present information in a format that shows the overall structure of a subject. [1]


Toolkit.png Designing a Mind Mapping

Step by Step

  • Generate a topic, which will be the focus of your thinking. The topic should be no more then a few words.
  • Take a blank paper, or, if you are using a software, open a new document, and write down the topic, wherever you want. It can be a good suggestion to start in the center of the paper, so that you have 360 degrees of freedom to continue your drawing.
  • To better identify and visualize the starting idea you can draw an image, using different colours.
  • Be open and have a creative attitude, trying to let ideas flow and to write all of them.
  • Free associate without limitating your ideas, you can always add new branches and write more information.
  • Try to capture all your thoughts as rapidly as possible.
  • Don't make any judgement, write everything you are thinking to.
  • Allow organization. Once all the idea has been added you can create links with the ones you left apart, and change the structure of your map.
  • Experiment with different ways of linking and emphasising different aspects, for example using colours and highlighters.

Practical Tips

  • Use single words or simple phrases, they can convey the same meaning of a long sentence but they are more potent.
  • Use colours to separate different concepts, this will make the map easy to remember and will help showing the organization of the subject.
  • Use symbols and images, that are easier to remember the words.
  • Use corss linkages, since information in one part of the drawing may relate with other on the other side of it.


Link icon.png Web Resources
In the table below there is a list of mindmapping tools. All of them are free-sources. You will also find some basic information about them, like if they are downoladable or on-line application, what kind of features and which degree of freedom in constructing the map they offer. By clicking the visualization image you will be able to see a sample map.
Tools Type of Application Special Features Structure Visualization
Freemind To download

(1,51 KB)

Link to files and web-sites Ramification only horizontal. No freedom to change the structure.
Freemind.jpeg
CMAP Tools To downlad

(1,62 KB)

Link to files and web-sites Free structure. Every arrow connecting two nodes is supposed to contain a label
Cmap Tools.jpg
Mindmeister On-line. Two versions: Basic for free,

Premium to pay (4$ per month)

Link to files and web-sites Ramification only horizontal. No freedom to change the structure.
Mindmeister.jpg
Bubbl.us On-line Link to web-sites, impossible to link files Free structure
Bubble.us.jpg
VUE To download

(1,51 KB)

Link to files and web-sites Free structure. Possibility two add a label on the connection between two nodes.
VUE.jpeg
Compendium To download

(1,58 KB)

Link to files and web-sites Free structure. Every node has to belong to a cathegory (question, decision, argument, idea..)
Compendium.jpg
Wisemapping On-line Link to web-sites, impossible to link files Ramification only horizontal. No freedom to change the structure.
Wisemapping.jpg
Mind42 On-line Link to web-sites, impossible to link files Ramification only horizontal. No freedom to change the structure.
Mind42.png




References

  1. ↑ astd-cac.net (08 July 2008) Wikipedia(08 July 2008) www.mind-mapping.co.uk (08 July 2008), www.illumine.co.uk (08 July 2008), www.mindtools.com (08 July 2008), www.thinksmart.com (8 October 2008), www.businessdictionary.com (8 October 2008)
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