5 What is Mindmapping?
In its simplest form, a mind map is a collection of ideas that have been put into the format of a visual diagram. Starting with a central idea or topic in the middle of the map, branches radiate from the center containing further themes and concepts to be explored – typically in the form of words, short phrases, and images. This gives mind maps a natural organizational structure.
In a mind map, information is structured in a way that mirrors exactly how the brain functions – in a radiant rather than linear manner. It literally ‘maps’ out your thoughts, using associations, connections, and triggers to stimulate further ideas. They make it easier to extract your ideas from your head into something visible and structured.
Research shows that the brain likes to work on the basis of association, and it will connect every idea, memory, or piece of information to tens, hundreds, and even thousands of other ideas and concepts. This is why mind maps are beneficial for countless tasks.
Learning:
Mind maps are a great aid in learning for countless reasons. Because they encourage the brain to make associations between different keywords, phrases, and images, they can be used by students to brainstorm ideas for creative projects (either alone or within a group), as well as help them to plan and structure work such as essays, reports, and presentations. Mind maps are also a great revision aid due to the fact that they can be used to break down complex information and improve memorization and recall.
Planning and Organizing:
Evidence shows that mind mapping can be used to help you plan and organize your thinking before you start writing or get stuck in a project. This is because you can use the technique to develop all your ideas and see where they relate to each other before deciding the best way to go about the task at hand.
Problem Solving:
A mind map can help you think with greater clarity to explore relationships between ideas and the different elements of an argument, as well as generate solutions to problems. It puts a new perspective on things by allowing you to see all the relevant issues and analyze choices in light of the big picture. It also makes it easier to integrate new knowledge and organize information logically as you’re not tied to a rigid structure.