THINKING SKILLS
Mind Maps
The human brain is not that good at holding lots of information without structure.
For example, I am sure you will agree that the following sentence would be a nightmare to remember.
"Ham, puppy-yougurt, the first day of Spring, 20, 10, 4, Nicola, Nicola's mum, 3, mind map, motor bike and herring often, thinking skills when the you a're mack, lisbon first boy of cartoon ,20Nicola's mum,8, mind map, words-worth, buzan, and listen for tony, skills, weep"
Tou can remember this list quite easily. Read on to find out how.
The reason you would have problems with it is because there is no structure. Without structure our memory gets into real problems. The good news is that we can impose artificial structures to help us in our tasks.
Mind Maps are artificial ways of structuring information. They are a really effective technique for learning large ammounts of information. Mind maps impose a structure which seems to mirror the way our physical brains store information. Ideas, thoughts and memories are linked together in a web rather than in linear lists or compartmentalised boxes.
Memory maps are the classic revision technique that exploits the fact that our brains are networks, rather than linear processors. We read and write in straight lines, one word after another, but we remember things in a completely different way .
To make a mind map, start in the center of a blank page and write down the word that describes the whole topic you want to memorise. Now draw lines radiating outwads each of which should have an idea attached. We are aiming to create a structure tree or spide web-like picture made up of connected key words and key images. That's the basis of it, identifying the main points or concepts and setting out how they connect with each other.
In the above example we have connected 10 different ideas, but mind maps can happily accomodate 50 or 60 without effort.
Mind maps help you to organise thoughts, take notes faster, improve your recall and think more creatively.
Suggested further reading...
THE MIND MAP BOOK
The
principles, and the techniques of Mind-Mapping are covered at depth
in this excellent little book by the Buzans. It provides step-by-step
run throughs of the mind mapping techniques, allowing y0ou to really
get confident with this powerful memory method.
Mind Maps for Kids:
The Shortcut to Success at School
Mind-Mapping works just as well for kids as for adults. New for 2003,
Tony Buzan's great book provides the 'magic formula' that allows so
many people to boost their thinking abilities. We recommend this title
for secondary school pupils (11 years and older) who will love the simplicity
of this truly beneficial technique.
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