Mind map
Mind map
This strategy will help students to:
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plan and organise information and understandings
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summarise key information, clarify relationships or associations between information and ideas and draw conclusions
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enhance learning and boost memory
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foster creativity, critical thinking and problem solving
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enhance presentation skills
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promote group collaboration skills
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improve writing skills
Implementation
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Explain that this strategy is to organise thoughts and each mindmap will be unique to the individual or group. (There is rarely a 'right' and 'wrong' answer.)
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Place the main theme in the center of the page. This can be an image, word or combination of both.
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Create the sub-themes by drawing branches from the main central theme.
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Identify connected words, phrases or pictures and place these around the main theme and sub-themes, progressively moving outwards to more specific information.
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Use very short phrases or single words.
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Identify links between different ideas and draw lines to highlight connecting ideas.
Ideas for creative mindmaps
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Use colour, different shapes, and lines to add visual appeal and aid recall of information.
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Initial ideas can be written in pen or pencil and then colours can be used to help categorise and organise information.
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Pictures or symbols aid visual learners and learners with lower literacy levels.
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Arrow thickness, shape and colour can be used to indicate cause and effect, and emphasis information and connection.
Technology options
For a PC
Tablet apps
Special needs
- The SECCA app is a free resource with over 2000 images designed to help deliver relationships and sexuality education to people of all ages and abilities.
Example
External links
- Mindmap art - showcasing the world's finest mindmaps
- Mindmapping for essay writing
- Mindmap examples in different learning areas
Evidence base
- The power of a mind map: Tedx talk by Tony Buzan
- How to mind map with Tony Buzan
- Mind mapping: Scientific research and studies