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Mind Mapping LA-MM-6A Oct2012

The document discusses mind mapping, which is a technique for visually organizing information in a non-linear way. It can be used to summarize information, think through complex problems, and present information. Key aspects of mind mapping include using images, colors, branches and links between ideas to structure thoughts. Software tools exist to help create detailed mind maps on any topic. Once created, mind maps aid recall and make connections within information easier to see.

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Ankit Iyer
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46 views4 pages

Mind Mapping LA-MM-6A Oct2012

The document discusses mind mapping, which is a technique for visually organizing information in a non-linear way. It can be used to summarize information, think through complex problems, and present information. Key aspects of mind mapping include using images, colors, branches and links between ideas to structure thoughts. Software tools exist to help create detailed mind maps on any topic. Once created, mind maps aid recall and make connections within information easier to see.

Uploaded by

Ankit Iyer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LA-MM-6A

Mind Mapping
What is it?
A useful, quick and easy way to record information in a non-linear way.

What to use it for


You will find mind maps most useful for:
 summarising information
 consolidating information from different research sources
 thinking through complex problems
 presenting information that shows the overall structure of your subject
 reviewing and refreshing information quickly

Points to remember
 It’s YOUR mind map, so you can design it any way you want to.
 You can use colours or symbols to help you recall the information later.
 Where possible, use single words or simple phrases.
 Print words rather than using ‘joined-up writing’ as these will be easier to read
later.
 Have some coloured pens to hand and use colours to distinguish and separate your
different ideas.
 Try using some symbols; remember the old adage that a picture speaks a thousand
words.
 Relate different parts of your map to other parts by using lines to link them.

Useful information
Some of the earliest examples of mind maps date back to the third century; however, mind
maps have more recently been made popular by Tony Buzan (ThinkBuzan, 2010–11) who
dispensed with the more conservative method of taking notes linearly by recording ideas
using a two-dimensional construction. For some people, mind mapping has proved to be
an extremely useful and practical technique. You can use it for taking notes during a
lecture, for structuring your plans in preparation for assignments, for agreeing a plan with
fellow participants in preparation for presentations or possibly in readiness for your
Management Challenge.
Using mind maps is an ideal opportunity to make use of creative problem solving, for
organising and generating ideas and for reviewing a wide range of diverse information.
Using mind maps is an ideal method for capturing your own thought processes, which
then enables you to quickly recall information that you will have previously stored in a
visual way. Remembering the shape and structure of the mind map can provide the cues
necessary to remember the information within it. Mind maps are thought to be used
already by more than 250 million people worldwide.

© Henley Business School, October 2012 1


Mind Mapping

What does a mind map look like?


A good mind map shows the ‘shape’ of the subject, the relative importance of individual
points and the way in which one fact relates to others. The concept of a mind map is that,
unlike taking conventional notes in a lecture or meeting, drawing up a mind map will
engage more areas of the brain in assimilating and connecting facts and information. Of
course, drawing up a map will take a lot less space than simply writing copious notes; in
fact, an average mind map can take up just one side of a piece of paper.

Getting started
To make notes on a subject using a mind map you can draw it as in Figure 1. Write the title
of the subject in the centre of the page, and draw a circle around it.
For the major subject subheadings, draw lines out from this circle. Label these lines with
the subheadings.

Figure 1 Basic mind map

If you have another level of information belonging to the subheadings above, draw these
and link them to the subheading lines, as given in the example in Figure 2.

2 © Henley Business School, October 2012


LA-MM-6A

Figure 2 A more detailed mind map

Finally, for individual facts or ideas, draw lines out from the appropriate heading line and
label them. As you come across new information, link it in to the mind map appropriately;
it can be as elaborate or as simple as you wish. Many people who practise using their mind
maps regularly use colours and symbols as an additional reminder of complex information.
The structure that you choose to produce for your mind map is personal to you and you
will find that as you develop your maps, they will evolve of their own accord.
There are also software tools available on the market. These can help you to build on the
process and result in some high quality maps, which can be redesigned, edited and added
to as you gather further information or ideas. Two of the more commonly used products
are MindGenius (2011) and MindManager (Mindjet, 2011). There is also a free software
package available called FreeMind (2011).

Getting the most from your mind maps


Of course, any mind map you design is of your own making and once you have expanded
your technique you can add your own conventions to develop them further.
Once you get into the habit of using mind maps you will find it a highly effective method of
taking notes as it will enable you to record not only facts, but also the overall structure of
the subject you are recording.
Referring back to your map will help you to make connections you might otherwise have
missed.

References
FreeMind (2011) [Accessed 11 Oct 2011]
http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
MindGenius (2011) [Accessed 11 Oct 2011] www.mindgenius.com

© Henley Business School, October 2012 3


Mind Mapping

Mindjet (2011) [Accessed 11 Oct 2011] www.mindjet.com


ThinkBuzan (2010–11) [Accessed 11 Oct 2011] www.thinkbuzan.com

Useful further reading


Buzan, T (2010) The Mind Map Book: Unlock Your Creativity, Boost Your Memory, Change Your
Life. BBC Active/Pearson Education
Buzan, T (2002) How to Mind Map: The Ultimate Thinking Tool That Will Change Your Life.
HarperCollins
Buzan, T (2003) The Mind Map Book: Radiant Thinking – Major Evolution in Human Thought,
3rd ed. BBC Active
Buzan, T (2004) Mind Maps at Work: How to Be the Best at Work and Still Have Time to Play.
HarperCollins
Buzan, T (2006) The Ultimate Book of Mind Maps: Unlock Your Creativity, Boost Your Memory,
Change your Life. Harper Thorsons
Visual Mind [Accessed 11 Oct 2011] www.visual-mind.com
Visual Technology Solutions [Accessed 11 Oct 2011] www.vtsdirect.com
The following website provides hundreds of examples of mind maps classified under tags,
e.g. learning, business.
Topicscape [Accessed 11 Oct 2011] www.topicscape.com
A full review of Buzan’s The Ultimate Book of Mind Maps can be found on the internet, but
basically it suggests the use of mind maps in a whole range of life areas. It is in full colour
and contains a considerable number of examples from running meetings to writing
speeches, preparing for interviews and personal planning for the future. For those wishing
to learn more about mind maps and how to make effective use of them, this is a very useful
book. However, check out some of the websites listed above as these can also offer some
really helpful tips and examples. Finally, have a go; you may even surprise yourself.

4 © Henley Business School, October 2012

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