What is a Mind Map?

A mind map is a graphical way to represent ideas and concepts. It is a visual thinking tool that
helps structuring information, helping you to better analyze, comprehend, synthesize, recall and
generate new ideas. ... It presents, in a visual way, the core elements and techniques on how to
draw mind maps.

When creating a Mind Map, there are several elements to consider, such as the map's central
idea, branches, colors, keywords and images.

A mind map is an easy way to brainstorm thoughts organically without worrying about
order and structure. It allows you to visually structure your ideas to help with analysis
and recall.
A mind map is a diagram for representing tasks, words, concepts, or items linked to and
arranged around a central concept or subject using a non-linear graphical layout that
allows the user to build an intuitive framework around a central concept. A mind map
can turn a long list of monotonous information into a colorful, memorable and highly
organized diagram that works in line with your brain's natural way of doing things.
A mind map can be used as a simplified content management system (CMS). It allows
you to store all your data in a centralized location to stay organized. With the various
mind mapping software programs out today, you can attach files to different branches
for even more flexibility. You can also change to various different views in order to find
one that suits you best.

Basics Of MIND MAPPING

A mind map is a tool for the brain that captures the thinking that goes on inside your head. Mind
mapping helps you think, collect knowledge, remember and create ideas. Most likely it will
make you a better thinker.
Mind maps can be created in many different ways, but they share the same basics:
Central theme
A central theme is placed in the centre of a blank page. This is the title, the subject, a problem
or just a thought. When thinking of something images automatically take form in your head. For
example the image of a “colorful bunch of balloons” when thinking of “birthday”.

Associations
From the central theme associations radiate out. Associations directly from the central theme
are called first level associations. Then second level associations are created, third level and so
on. The brain thinks by imagination and association. When associations are created,
connections are made. These connections are essential for remembering and thinking.
Curved lines
Associations are often drawn as curved lines. They are curved rather than straight, because the
brain likes curves.

Keywords
Mind maps summarize information. Instead of sentences, ideally only single keywords are used.
A single word per association gives more freedom, creativity and clarity.
Proximity
The length of a word ideally matches the length of a curved line. That causes associated words
to be in close proximity.

associations
A mind map can have many first level associations, but the mind can only grasp about a
maximum of 7.
Color & images
The use of color is important in the mind map. Research shows that people who use color and
images in their imagination, when they are learning, are better in remembering than those who
don’t.
7 Research-Backed Benefits of Mind Mapping
We looked at a variety of surveys and research studies to find the seven biggest
benefits of mind mapping. According to research, mind mapping improves learning,
information recall, productivity, creativity, and more.

1. It Enables Meaningful Learning

In “Making Learning Visible: The Role of Concept Mapping in Higher Education,”
researchers define three levels of learning:

 Non-learning is used to describe a state where there’s no measurable

difference between a student’s knowledge before and after being taught new
material.
 Rote learning is used to describe when new knowledge is learned but not
connected to any existing knowledge a student has on the subject.
 Meaningful learning is used to describe when students have acquired new
knowledge and have connected that new knowledge to knowledge they
already had.
Who needs Mind Mapping?
In short, everyone and anyone can benefit from this powerful technique.
Whether you’re writing an essay or planning an event, Mind Maps can be
used by a variety of people for a variety of purposes.
Mind Map Examples
A mind map is a diagram that displays information visually. The subject of a mind
map is always located in the center of the map. From there, related ideas and
keywords branch out in all directions, resulting in a radiant structure.

Has your teacher ever told you to stop doodling and focus on taking notes? Well
when it comes to mind mapping, doodling is exactly what you’re supposed to do!
The more colors you use and the more images you add to your map, the better.

However, your mind map doesn’t have to be a work of art. The idea is to simply
make it as memorable as possible.
Mind Mapping is Helpful for Students

Compared to traditional linear notes, studying using flashcards, or brainstorming

with bullet points and outlines, mind maps have a lot of advantages. Here are just a
few of the reasons why mind maps are so effective:

 A mind map’s radiant structure directly corresponds to the way our brains
store and retrieve information.
 A mind map conveys the hierarchy and relationships between individual ideas
and enables you to see the big picture.
 A mind map makes use of mental triggers (such as pictures, colors, and
connections) to help your brain memorize things more easily.
 The best part: mind mapping doesn’t feel like work!

It’s those properties that make mind maps such a great learning tool. And what’s
more, they can be created and used by absolutely anyone. Whether you’re a post-
graduate student or are just starting out in your academic career, mind maps can
help you structure, manage, and memorize the knowledge you’re trying to acquire.

Once you have the basic process down, you can get started creating your first mind
map. While you can create mind maps anywhere—all you need is a writing utensil
and a piece of paper—you may want something more flexible.
If that’s the case for you, you can use a mind mapping tool to create your mind
maps.

Now that you know the basics of how to create a mind map, let’s take a look at some
of the ways you can use mind mapping every day in school.

1. Brainstorming mind map

Mind mapping is one of the best brainstorming techniques there is. Drawing a mind
map when you’re trying to come up with ideas for an essay, project, or any other
creative task can really help get your creative juices flowing.

Using mind maps for brainstorming:

 helps you easily retrieve information from your memory

 gets your thoughts flowing freely so you can come up with new ideas
 lets you identify connections between individual ideas
  helps you see the bigger picture

If you run out of ideas too early, try drawing blank branches into your mind map. Our
brains don’t like unfinished business, so by drawing unfinished branches, we can
often trick our brains into looking for creative ways to expand our mind maps.

2. Note-taking mind map

Most students use some form of linear note-taking to capture the information
presented to them in class. Mind maps, however, are a much more effective tool
when it comes to note-taking. Instead of thoughtlessly transcribing what your
teacher says, mind maps compel you to actively think about what you hear and only
write down the most essential pieces of information.

Instead of writing whole sentences, you stick to keywords and meaningful images.
This way, you save time both during the lesson and afterward when you go back to
revise the material.

Mind maps also offer a much better overview of a topic than normal text documents
do. Just take a look at the image above. The images on the left and right both offer
the same information. But which one would you say is more memorable and would
be quicker to review?
3. Memorization mind map

Mind maps can help you memorize all kinds of information, from a second
language to important names and dates you need to know for your history exam.

“Mind maps utilize all our cortical skills and activate the brain on all levels, making it
more alert and skillful at remembering. The attractiveness of mind maps makes the
brain want to return to them and encourages the probability of spontaneous recall.”

4. Reading comprehension mind map

Some texts can be quite difficult to understand. Old novels, highly scientific articles,
and scholarly essays can be full of words we’re not familiar with, and they often have
a complex structure that can throw us off.

Taking notes in a mind map while reading such a text can make it much easier to
understand its structure and content. Here are a few tips:

 Break the information down into smaller, more manageable chunks.

 Capture the key concepts and ideas of the text.
 Make a list of unfamiliar words and other questions that turn up while you
read.
 Summarize the plot of a text and describe its main characters.
 Use the map to review your notes before an exam.
5. Group project mind map

If you’re one of the many students who dread group projects in school, mind maps
can be the key to change this. A mind map can make it much easier to visualize
what needs to be done and work together with your teammates to accomplish all
tasks.

ROLE OF MIND MAP FOR DESIGNER

A mind map is an intricate web of thoughts, ideas, names, words and images that all stem from
one central idea or word in diagram form.
Many designers use Mind Mapping to brainstorm and generate ideas. The loose and visual
manner in which a mind map is created is not only a fantastic tool to 'free up' creativity, its a
great way to communicate to clients, team members and professors while in a design's concept
phase.
One can see in the Mind Map above, it has started with a central topic 'Solving Global Warming'.
The main points then radiate outward from the centre. These represent the main points
of the Mind Map. Each one of these points sprouts its own branches and twigs. This star-
like pattern of ideas is referred to as 'Radiant Thinking'.