How to learn using Mind Mapping

Over the years I have learned a lot about how to learn and how to learn more efficiently by using more effective note taking strategies, better reading strategies, and improving creativity and memory using hand written mind maps and more recently mind mapping software.

I wanted to share what I have learned as it has been helpful to me when studying for exams and will aid others who want to improve their memory and learning and be useful when studying for exams.

When learning and studying for exams at school I was using incorrect methods and strategies for memorizing information. These would include linear note taking which can be time consuming and not at all efficient for reviewing information. Linear notes involve writing ideas in the form of sentences. They also make it difficult to see how the different key topics and sub topics are related.

Advantages of Mind Mapping

Linear note taking lack the visual cues that aid in recalling key topics and elements of a subject that mind maps have. They can even be a hinderance to revision as too much time can be spent writing and trying to locate the key information and not on memorizing the key information.

More importantly they do not fully utilize both sides of the brain. Imagine running in a race using only half of your body. This would be very inefficient if not impossible. Likewise the brain functions much better when both the right and left sides are being used. Just as you would be able to move many times faster if you utilized both sides of your body so your mind functions many times more effectively when you are fully utilising both sides of the brain.

The left side deals mainly with words, numbers, logic, lists. The right side deals mainly with Colour, Rhythm, Imagination, Daydreaming and seeing the whole picture.

The reason a mind map is such a powerful tool for learning, memory and creativity is because it combines all of those activities and they reflect the structure of thought and memory which work via association, imagination and images. Mind maps provide a very powerful aid in studying, problem solving, note taking, writing and decision making. They can also greatly assist creativity and memory as they enable the visualization, organization, association of ideas and information.

The elements of a mind map are arranged intuitively according to the importance of the concepts, and use branches or nodes to associate similar key topics and subtopics arranged around a central key word or idea. Mind Maps enable quick revision and recall of information and they organize information in the same way that the mind does.

Five Main rules of Mind Mapping

Here are five main rules when Mind Mapping suggested by Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Mapping and creator of IMindmap. IMindmap is the only Mind Mapping software that fully utilizes all of these 5 rules.

1. Create your Central Idea.

The image should represent the overall theme or topic for your Mind Map and should stand out using colour and preferably a central image.

If you are creating your Mind Map by hand then insure you have a good sized sheet of paper. Draw a central image in the centre of the paper, of If you are using Imindmap you can choose a central image from the library or create one yourself and select it from your personal collection.

2. Draw the Main Branches and add keywords.

Draw the Main Branches and add a key word for each main area of that theme or topic. Try and use thicker branches near the centre and larger keywords representing the main sub-topics. Making the key sub-topics stand out by placing them nearer the centre of the mind map with thicker branches and larger letters will help your mind differentiate and visualize the key information easier.

Curved organic branches are the most effective as they reflect the structure of your brain and add variety and excitement making the information easier to remember. Straight lines do not excite your mind and are boring. Adding colour and curved branches allow your mind to soak up more information which is crucial for recall.

IMindmap creates organic, natural looking Mind Maps by enabling you to create curved organic branches and organizes the thickness of your branches with the branches nearer the centre of the Mindmap thicker then those on the outside. You can also create the branches in freehand mode.

3. Colour

Colours are exciting to your brain as images. They add extra interest and life and give energy to your creative thinking. Add Colour to your Mind Maps.

IMindmap adds plenty of colour to your Mind Map automatically selecting a colour for you or ifyou want you can add your own colours.

4. Add Child branches

Add child branches and Keywords from your main branches representing sub sub-topics. Try and stick with single words as they will generate many more associations and connections allowing your mind to spark off new ideas and thoughts. Single words will provide power and flexibility to your Mind Map.

If you are using Imindmap you can always add hidden notes or links to your branches so your Mind Map remains clear and easy to follow.

5. Images

A picture can paint a thousand words and images have a huge impact on your brain. The more you use them the better. Try and use images rather then words when you can as they encourage imagination and creativity and make it easier for your mind to recall information. You will also be fully utilizing both sides of your brain in the process.

Imindmap makes attaching images or icons to any branch very easy and has an image library enabling you to search for thousands of images online or offline. Or if you wish you can import your own or sketch your own using Imindmaps drawing tools.

6. Add Connections

Create plenty of connections between the different branches as your mind works best by creating associations and connections between ideas. It likes to link up 3 or 4 things together. If you connect branches and therefore ideas you will understand and remember a lot easier. These connections will start forming the rest of your main branches then your second level branches and then third branches until you run out of ideas.

Relationship arrows should also be used to connect two ideas which are related but may not follow one another.

To enhance your Mind Map, with IMindmap you can insert a collection of different features including Notes, links to websites or documents, clouds, arrows, floating images, text and even your own sketches.

If you think your Mind Map is getting too large you can easily link it up to a child Mind Map.

You can also export your MindMap as a webpage, image, PDF, Word or PowerPoint to be used as a presentation.

In the following video Tony Buzan, who invented Mind Mapping and helped create Imindmap explains the benefits of Mind Mapping and why it is so effective.

Download Tony Buzan’s iMindMap Today

Whether you are an adult or child studying for an test or you are a parent who wants to help your child study there are some study techniques that have been proved to be very effective for memorizing, comprehending, recalling and summarizing information.

The most effective technique for studying and revising for exams is by using Mind Maps.

Mind mapping involves the use of images, symbols and keywords to represent ideas and concepts in a visual form where the central theme or topic is located at the centre of the mind map and subtopics are arranged around a central image or keyword.

The reason they are so effective is because they utilize both images and words and therefore both hemispheres of the brain. Imagine trying to run in a race using only one side of your body. The mind like the body functions better when both sides are used.

Visualization and association

The mind works best using visualization and association

Images in a mind map represent key ideas and are easier to remember and aid in recall as they give the mind more mental ‘hooks’ to latch onto and so aid memory. They also act like visual cues helping to recall the information quickly before it is lost from long term memory.

The branches of a Mind Map help form associations and connection and make it easier to see how related information fits together which aids in understanding and in turn facilitates memory.

Also the most important information is located nearer the centre of the mind map and the images make it possible to recall key ideas at a glance making it easier to locate the information that matters rather then reading through lots of notes trying to find the information you need before an exam.

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They also provide a birds eye perspective of a subject or topic which again aids in recall and understanding as the mind can see how the different subtopics relate to one another at a glance.

Mind maps are also great for dyslexic children as they enable them to create effective notes without focusing too much on the words which can be a barrier to their learning.

Mind maps are not just used in note taking but are used to facilitate creativity, problem solving, decision making and the generation of new ideas.

Helping your child to revise using Mind Maps

How much you assist your child in revising using Mind Maps will depend largely on the age of the child and their experience in using Mind Maps.

Before doing any revision it is important to obtain past examination papers if possible so you are aware of the type of questions that will be asked in the exam and the reading material required.

Prioritize those books and study materials that will be more useful for exam revision.

Using a large sheet of paper you could start by creating the central image or keyword representing the subject or topic that is being revised for. Together you should create branches from the central image or keyword representing the main sub-topics that will cover all aspects of the topic.

Let your child brainstorm what knowledge of the subject they have already by creating more branches, keywords and images representing the key ideas.

This will enable you to:

1. Determine the level of knowledge your child has gained of the subject from school, books, their family and peers. Also from the media and elsewhere. You may be surprised to find out how much they already know.

2. Help to determine what gaps in their knowledge may exist which can significantly aid in pinpointing any areas that need to be addressed before the exam.

They will help your child to:

1. Learn more quickly as they will be able to build upon the knowledge already gained and see how new information relates to what they already know. This will help to form more associations and connections.

2. Use the Mind Maps just before the exam as an effective method of recalling at a glance what they have gained and aiding in revision.

As you help your child study encourage them to continue adding to the Mind Map by forming more branches, adding more colour and images as they read through any revision material. As more information is added the Mind Maps should become more detailed and shift away from the centre.

During the end of every revision period, using the Mind Map as a guide encourage the child to recall in detail what they have just learned. Constantly reviewing information helps to transfer the knowledge from short term memory into long term memory.

Representing ideas with very short sentences, preferably one or two keywords has been shown to be the best method of creating mind maps.

Not having to read though lots of notes to find the key information for the exam will be a great time saver.

As the exam approaches they should be able to recall in detail the knowledge gained during revision by glancing at their Mind Map. The Mind Map should contain a detailed summary of all the topics required for the exam.