UPDATE: A friend commented that this presentation needed more information... He hadn't read the speaker's notes. Please click the tab "notes" next to the "comments" tab... the notes appear on slide 5 forward.
The first few slides are just bullet points mostly... there's a reason for that. Slide 5 starts to pick up the pace. This is a short primer on how to mind map and why they can be so effective. I've given this presentation to CEO Peer Groups and it is always successful with lots of questions and interaction. As a normal course I use Mind Maps to solve problems and build strategies for the Market Development work that I consult on for clients. If you like the presentation, will you "tweet" it for me?
2. What are Mind Maps?
• A mind map is a way to visually organize notes, thoughts, ideas, and
conversations.
• Tony Buzan has largely tried to take credit for inventing modern mind
mapping. (he’s a British psychologist)
• In reality different forms of mind mapping have been used over many
centuries – Buzan really just popularized it and offered some theories
around why they work so well to capture thoughts and are compatible
with the thought process.
• A Mind Map is created around a single word or text, placed in the
center, to which associated ideas, words and concepts are added.
• Mind Maps have many uses including business situations where you could
use Mind Maps to document conversations, general note
taking, brainstorming, or to parse out a strategy or a particularly
complicated situation you may face.
• In business mind maps are most frequently used collaboratively – but it is
possible to use mind mapping on your own, as an individual.
3. Mind Map Uses
• You can use a Mind Map for:
– Problem solving/decision making
– Strategy development
– Outline a proposal
– Create a timeline
– Defining roles at an organization
– Collaboration technique
– Expression of creativity
– Condensing your thoughts onto one page
– As a SWOT analysis
– Create a framework
– Put visuals and text together
– Develop keyword phrases
4. Mind Map Guidelines
In his books on Mind Maps author Tony Buzan suggests using the following guidelines for
creating Mind Maps:
• Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors.
• Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your Mind Map.
• Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
• Each word/image is best alone and sitting on its own line.
• The lines should be connected, starting from the central image. The central lines are
thicker, organic and thinner as they radiate out from the centre.
• Make the lines the same length as the word/image they support.
• Use multiple colors throughout the Mind Map, for visual stimulation and also to
encode or group.
• Develop your own personal style of Mind Mapping.
• Use emphasis and show associations in your Mind Map.
• Keep the Mind Map clear by using radial hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to
embrace your branches.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map
.
7. We Think Like:
This… Not This:
Bedrooms - 6
+
Kitchen -1
How Many Windows?
+
Family Room - 2
+
Garage - 1
+
How Many Living Room - 2
Windows?
+
Sun Room - 4
TOTAL = 16
8. To Use Mind Mapping Effectively…
Screen Shot from RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U
You will have to break free of the standards based paradigm of
education. We have been conditioned not to think in a way compatible
with the brain, but compatible with high test scores.
11. Would You Like More?
Michael Years
Market Development Consulting
LēD GĕN 3.0
561-819-8179
http://ledgen30.com
mikeyears@ledgen30.com
Twitter: @mikeyears
Notas do Editor
My guess is not too much. Reading off bullet points, or making a list of action items, steps, components, etc. does not do much in the way of firmly committing to our consciousness: ideas, conversations, plans, or solutions, etc. My guess is that you did not retain more than 20% of the information we just reviewed.
Our brains do not work on a linear basis. Our brains work on an associative basis. We take in bits of information and associate those bits with other bits and form a web of knowledge (colors, numbers, smells, textures, environments, etc.) In theory, we think and process information around radials that form interconnected branches (the web). When you are trying to take notes, document a conversation, leverage your creativity, solve a problem and more – it would make sense to use a technique that works with your mind as opposed to against it.
A quick experiment: I want you to tell me how many windows are in your home. I’ll give you some time to think about it….O.K. – So how many windows do you have? The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate how we think by radial associations. Here’s the proof: When I asked you this question you most likely formed a mental picture of your home. That mental picture was then used to create a map that you either navigated from the exterior or interior of your home. That map was formed with all sorts of bits of information – the size of the windows, the size of the room, the window coverings, the hallways and doors that led to the different rooms, the type of window, even the color of the walls and the placement of furniture, and if you were navigating your mental picture from outside, you would have noted your driveway, the landscaping and even the environmental conditions – most likely you chose a sunny day. In all likelihood you didn't require a calculator to add the windows up – instead you mentally navigated from a starting point adding windows along the way until you returned to where you started. You were creating associations to solve a problem. Interesting huh?
Although it should, Mind Mapping does not come naturally to many of us – Especially to those of us that excel academically. After all education is mostly about standards – there is one right answer, and it is somewhere in the back of the book. So that you are not accused of cheating, you take copious linear based notes, so that you can match the bullet point to the test question. It is not a very efficient means to developing a solution, idea, or strategy if you don’t have a book to take notes from. As a consequence we have largely lost our ability to think divergently and draw out meanings, solutions, etc. with our innate divergent thinking skills. We have largely suppressed these abilities.
If I now explain the Mind Map Guidelines you should be able to retain a much higher level of information. Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors.Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your Mind Map.Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.Each word/image is best alone and sitting on its own line.The lines should be connected, starting from the central image. The central lines are thicker, organic and thinner as they radiate out from the centre.Make the lines the same length as the word/image they support.Use multiple colors throughout the Mind Map, for visual stimulation and also to encode or group.Develop your own personal style of Mind Mapping.Use emphasis and show associations in your Mind Map.Keep the Mind Map clear by using radial hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to embrace your branches.Of course, a mind map built collaboratively and with your input has even greater sticking power.