Many of us have learned to outline information in our
studies, as:
- First item
- Second item
- sub item
- sub item
- sub sub item
- sub sub item
- Third item
Alternatives to outlining are Mind and Concept Mapping.
Why Map?
| Outlining is linear and organized, but
not
the way our minds work.
Instead, our minds work like web sites:
groups of pages or ideas or concepts are linked together,
or even go off on their own into other groupings or webs. |
Learning combines what you already
know with what you want to know,
and links this new information within our store of knowledge.
Our memories then process these new "links" and associations for later
recall.
A mind map focuses on one idea;
A concept map works with several or many.
|
When to map?
| Organizing a subject |
Bringing about "deeper" learning |
| Integrating old and new knowledge |
Revising, and preparing for, tests |
|
Taking notes |
| Placing new ideas in a structure |
Brainstorming |
|
Communicating complex ideas |
Use mapping to put things into perspective,
analyze relationships, and to prioritize.
First reject the idea of an outline, or of paragraphs using sentences.
Now think in terms of key words or symbols that represent ideas and words.
You will need:
- a pencil (you'll be erasing!) and a blank (non-lined) big piece of paper
- a blackboard and (colored) chalk
- "post-it" notes
- Write down the most important word or short phrase or
symbol for the center.
Think about it; circle it.
|
- Post other important words outside of the circle
Draw over-lapping circles to connect items, or use arrows to
connect them
(think of linking pages in a web site)
Leave white space to grow your map for
- further development
- explanations
- action items
- Work quickly
without analyzing your work
|
- Edit this first phase
Think about the relation of outside items to the center
item
Erase and replace and shorten words to these key ideas
Relocate important items closer to each other for better
organization
If possible, use color to organize information
Linking concepts with words to clarify the relationship
|
- Continue working outward
Freely and quickly add other key words and ideas
(you can always erase!)
Think weird: combine concepts to expand your map or; break
boundaries
Develop in directions the topic takes you--not limited by how you
are doing the map
As you expand your map, you will tend to become more specific or
detailed
|
- Set the map aside
Later, continue development and revision
Stop and think about relationships you are developing
Expand the map over time (right up to an exam if necessary!)
|
- This map is your personal learning document
It combines what you knew with what you are learning
and what you may need to complete your "picture"
|
FreeMind
is a premier free mind-mapping software written in Java that has other project
management applications. Alternative resources are also listed.
Concept maps have their origin in the work of David Ausubel (advanced
organizers). The technique of concept mapping was developed by Joseph D
Novak at Cornell. "Concept maps have their origin in the learning movement
called constructivism. In particular, constructivists hold that prior knowledge is
used as a framework to learn new knowledge. In essence, how we think influences
how and what we learn. Concept maps identify the way we think, the way we see
relationships between knowledge." Grayson H. Walker, Concept Mapping and
Curriculum Design, Teaching Resource Center, The University of Tennessee at
Chattanooga, http://www.utc.edu/Teaching-Resource-Center/concepts.html, (March 2,
2000).
Mind mapping was developed by Tony Buzan: "The Mind Map Book:
How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain's Untapped Potential", Penguin
Books, New York.
Website overview: Since 1996 the
Study Guides and Strategies web site
has been researched, authored, maintained and supported by Joe Landsberger
as an international, learner-centric, educational public service. Permission is granted to freely copy, adapt,
and distribute individual Study Guides in print format in non-commercial educational settings that benefit learners. Please be aware that the Guides welcome, and are under, continuous review and revision. For that reason, reproduction of all content on the Internet
can only be with permission through a licensed
agreement. No request to link to the Web site is necessary.
Visitor Center
Projects, news, metrics, copyright, licensing
Joe's
professional and personal webpages
