Mind Maps

CSCI102 - Introduction to Information

Technology B
ITCS905 - Fundamentals of Information
Technology
Overview - The Human
Can be viewed as an information
processing system, for example,
card, Moran and Newell's model
human processor :
 Information received and responses
given
via input-output channels
 Information stored in memory
 Information processed and applied in
various ways
Human Model Processor
The model can be
divided into three
interacting
subsystems:
1. The perceptual
system
2. The cognitive system
3. The motor system
Each with its own
set of memories and
processors
Human Model Processor
The memories and processors are
described by a few parameters:
 The storage capacity in items
 The decay time of an item
 The main code type (physical,
acoustic, visual, semantic)
 The cycle time
The Human Brain
However, the human brain is very different
from a computer
 A computer works in a linear fashion
 The brain works associatively as well as linearly -
comparing, integrating and synthesising as it
goes
Association plays a dominant role in nearly
every mental function, and words themselves
are no exception
Every single word, and idea has numerous
links attaching it to other ideas and concepts.
Disadvantages of
Traditional Linear Notes:
 Energy and time wasted writing down
superfluous words.
 Other information may be missed while
noting down one idea.
 Take longer to read and review.
 Associations and connections between key
words and ideas not readily apparent.
 Attention wanders easily.
 Lack of color and other visual qualities
handicap memory.
 Traditional notes aid forgetting not memory.
Mind Maps
Mind maps, developed by Tony Buzan are
an effective method of note-taking and
useful for the generation of ideas by
associations
To make a mind map, one starts in the
centre of the page with the main idea,
and works outward in all directions,
producing a growing and organised
structure composed of key words and key
images
Key Features
Key features are:
 Organisation
 Key words
 Association
 Clustering
 Visual memory - print the key words, use
color, symbols, icons, 3d-effects,arrows and
outlining groups of words
 Outstandingness - every mind map needs a
unique centre
 Conscious involvement
Mind Maps
Mind maps work the way the brain
works -- which is not in nice neat
lines
 Memory is naturally associative, not
linear
 Any idea probably has thousands of
links in your mind
 Mind maps allow associations and links
to be recorded and reinforced
Mind Maps
The mind remembers key words
and images, not sentences
 Try recalling just one sentence from
memory
 Mind maps use just key words and
key images, allowing a lot more
information to be put on a page
Mind Maps
Because mind maps are more
visual and depict associations
between key words, they are much
easier to recall than linear notes
Starting from the centre of the
page rather than top-left corner
allows you to work out in all
directions
Mind Maps
The organization of a mind map
reflects the way your own brain
organizes ideas
Mind maps are easy to review
 Regular review reinforces memory
 Best is to try reviewing in your
imagination first, then go back and
check on those areas that were hazy
Mind Maps
We remember what stands out
(where were you when john
Lennon was shot?). Visual quality
of mind maps allows you to make
key points stand out easily
How to Mind Map
Turn a large A4 (11.7" x 8.3") or
preferably A3 (16.7" x 11.7"), white
sheet of paper on it's side (landscape),
or use a mind map pad
Gather a selection of coloured pens,
ranging from fine nib to medium and
highlighters
Select the topic, problem or subject to be
mind mapped
How to Mind Map
Gather any materials or research or
additional information
Start in the centre with an unframed
image – approximately 6cm high and
wide for an A4 and 10cm for an A3
Use dimension, expression and at least
three colours in the central image in
order to attract attention and aid
memory
How to Mind Map
Make the branches closest to the centre
thicker, attached to the image and
‘wavy’ (organic). Place the basic
ordering ideas (bois) or the 'chapter
heading' equivalents on the branches
Branch thinner lines off the end of the
appropriate bois to hold supporting
data (most important closest)
Use images wherever possible
How to Mind Map
The image or word should always sit on a
line of the same length
Use colours as your own special code to
show people, topics, themes or dates and
to make the mind map more beautiful
Capture all ideas (your own or others’), then
edit, re-organise, make more beautiful,
elaborate or clarify as a second stage of
thinking
Mind Map Laws
1.Start in the centre with an image
of the topic, using at least 3
colours
2.Use images, symbols, codes and
dimensions throughout your mind
map
3.Select key words and print using
upper or lower case letters
Mind Map Laws
4.Each word word/image must be
alone and sitting on its own line
5.The lines must be connected,
starting from the central image.
The central lines are thicker,
organic and flowing, becoming
thinner as they radiate out from
the centre
Mind Map Laws
6.Make the lines the same length as the
word/image
7.Use colours – your own code – throughout
the mind map
8.Develop your own personal style of mind
mapping
9.Use emphasis and show associations in your
mind map
10. Keep the mind map clear by using radiant
hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to
embrace your branches
Example

http://www.peterussell.com/index2.h
tml
Example

Moves
Breathes

Animal
Example
Moves
Breathes

Has four legs

Barks

Animal Is a

Dog

Has Tail
Example
Works Sheep

Barks
Has four legs Sheepdog
Moves
Breathes
Is a
Size: medium
Is a Dog Is a
Animal
Is a
Collie
Has Tail

Colour:
[brown/white
black/white
merle
Example
Works Sheep

Barks
Has four legs Sheepdog
Moves
Breathes
Is a
Size: medium
Is a Dog Is a
Animal
Is a
Collie
Has Tail

Instance of
Colour:
[brown/white
black/white
merle
Film Character
Lassie
Colour:
brown/white
Uses of Mind Maps
Mindmaps approach the same structure
as memory itself
Mind maps help organise information
 Because of the large amount of association
involved, they can be very creative, tending
to generate new ideas and associations that
have not been thought of before
 Every item in a map is in effect, a centre of
another map
Uses of Mind Maps
Whenever information is being
taken in, mind maps help organize
it into a form that is easily
assimilated by the brain and easily
remembered
 They can be used for noting anything
 Books, lectures,meetings, interviews,
phone conversations
Uses of Mind Maps
The creative potential of a mind map is
useful in brainstorming sessions
 Start with the basic problem as the centre,
and generate associations and ideas from it in
order to arrive at a large number of different
possible approaches
 By presenting your thoughts and perceptions
in a spatial manner and by using colour and
pictures, a better overview is gained and new
connections can be made visible
Uses of Mind Maps
Recall
 Whenever information is being retrieved
from memory, mind maps allow ideas to
be quickly noted as they occur, in an
organized manner. There's no need to
form sentences and write them out in full
 They serve as quick and efficient means
of review and so keep recall at a high
level
Uses of Mind Maps
Creativity
 Whenever you want to encourage
creativity, mind maps liberate the
mind from linear thinking, allowing
new ideas to flow more rapidly. Think
of every item in a mind map as the
center of another mind map
Uses of Mind Maps
Problem solving
 Whenever you are confronted by a
problem -- professional or personal --
mind maps help you see all the issues
and how they relate to each other.
They also help others quickly get an
overview of how you see different
aspects of the situation, and their
relative importance
Uses of Mind Maps
Planning
 Whenever you are planning something, mind maps
help you get all the relevant information down in one
place and organize it easily
 They can be used for planning any piece of writing
from a letter to a screenplay to a book or for planning
a meeting, a day or a vacation
Presentations
 Prepare a mind map of the topic and its flow
 This not only helps organize the ideas coherently; The
visual nature of the map means the whole thing can
be read in your head as you talk, without ever having
to look at a sheet of paper
10.References
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~caveman/Creative/Mind
map/
http://www.peterussell.com/mindmap1.html
http://mueller.zems.tu-berlin.de/evti/students/Mindmap/Ind
ex.
htm
http://www.mind-map.com/MM/mindmap/APPLICATIONS.HT
M