The map displayed adjacent is an overarching guide designed to help me structure my thoughts for my first 6 blog posts. These types of maps are called Mind Maps and though they have been around for centuries in many different forms, it was Tony Buzan that popularised this type of form as a way to structure and clarify thinking using colour, pictures, text and to make associations and links between thoughts.
Hi achievers use what is known as Bi modal thinking that marries up the right and left hemispheres of the brain. While the right hemisphere is associated with pictures, imagination, colour, rhythm, space and a global, big picture outlook, the left hemisphere works with numbers, words, lists, logic, details and order. Both brain hemispheres add and support each other and help us to remember, to use mental rehearsal and to think outside of the box. Bi Modal thinking in a nut shell, provides positive whole brain benefits.
The information presented above is well known hence why Mr Buzan took the mind map to the level it is and why they work so well. It is a multi-million dollar industry targeting software, books and writing materials all designed to get you to become a bi modal thinker. Certainly, mind maps have been a big influence on me. For example, I use them to quickly sketch an outline when I’m attending lectures and I use software both on the pc and the iPad to refine the maps. With respect to lectures, a mind map interestingly can also reveal whether the lecturer has structured his or her thoughts in a logical, sequenced manner when presenting the material to the class. The mind map will either be chaotic or well-ordered or even a combination of the two.
In closing, the map above will be refined as I move along and post. This is a big strength in mind mapping in that it allows for terrific flexibility and adaptation to meet changing demands. This is really what bi modal thinking is all about.
This is a great way to share ideas, Peter.
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in MindMaps and your post has encouraged me to revisit CMaps.
Best wishes
Keith
Thank you Professor Keith! Concept Maps are certainly interesting and have the underlying scientific theory behind them to back them up. In the past I have experimented with them but I find them quite frustrating to use. Perhaps its the way my brain is wired!?!
ReplyDeleteWhile both Cmaps and Mmaps share the same concept in linking ideas, the biggest difference is that Cmaps have the main central idea set at the top of the hierarchy whereas Mmaps allow several main ideas around a central theme. A big plus I see with the Mmap is that the theme can be broad.
Both tools have their pluses and minuses depending on the problem situation at hand.