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12 January 2017

Employing Mind Maps for School Uses

Written by:
ENDANG ASRINI ARIFIATI (1507042025)

A mind map in is a graphical way to represent ideas and concepts, allowing people to comprehend, create new ideas and build connections. It is a visual thinking tool that helps structuring information, helping one to better analyze, comprehend, synthesize, recall and generate new ideas. Mind mapping was developed as an effective method for generating ideas by association. In a mind map, information is structured in a way that resembles much more closely how the brain actually works. It engages the brain in a much, much richer way, helping in all its cognitive functions because this activity is both analytical and artistic.

According to Cambridge Dictionary, Mind Map is a trademark for a type of diagram (= simple plan) with lines and circles for organizing information so that it is easier to use or remember. A mind map is a spontaneous way of showing the association between ideas (Beaver, 2014). Tony Buzan (1995), the inventor of mind map stated that A mind map is a multicoloured and imagecentred, radial diagram that represents semantic or other connections between portions of learned material hierarchically. Mind Mapping is a useful technique that helps you learn more effectively, improves the way that you record information, and supports and enhances creative problem solving (Maurizal, 2009). The Mind Map can be applied to every aspect of life where improved learning and clearer thinking will enhance human performance.

In the classroom, mind mapping is a beneficial learning tool to help students brainstorm any topic and think creatively. Mind maps are particularly helpful in the writing process and provide students with a natural way of thinking and building thoughts on a story plot or theme. It helps students brainstorm and explore any idea, concept, or problem by taking notes and tasks. It will be easy for them to organize ideas and concepts. Next, it facilitate better understanding of relationships and connections between ideas and concepts. It also make them easy to communicate new ideas and thought. After that, students can easily recall information.

When to Use Mind Map?

  • Making Notes : Mind Maps are a great way for students to make notes on all of the information they receive. It keeps the thought together in one sheet. In addition, when they come back to review the notes, they will remember the information more quickly.
  • Planning an Essay : It helps students to create a logical structure for the introduction, main sections and conclusions. They will focuses their mind on the message and the key information to be included, making them less likely to go off topic or start rambling.
  • Studying for Exam : Students simply review the notes on each subject, and Mind Map the key information needed to remember.
  •  Solving Problem Mind Mapping helps them to open up many possibilities and options to solve the problem by add any ideas or resources they can think of. It is better to focus on the many options, and then choose the quickest/easiest/best one for the problem.
  • Making Presentation : With Mind Map, they only have keywords and images to stimulate their memory, so they automatically present in a more conversational way as they keep eye contact with the audience.
  • Studying in Group : Mind Maps help students combine the ideas with others, without losing the personal insights on the topic.
How to Start With Mind Map?
Mind maps can be fairly simple or highly complex, depending on the topic and the amount of detail included.  
  • In mapping the mind, start from the middle by writing the main idea. 
  • From this idea, create a growing diagram composed of keywords, phrases, concepts, facts and figure in all direction outward the main idea using arrow.
  • Then, create sub-branches that stem from the main branches to further expand on ideas and concepts containing words that elaborate on the topic of the branch it stems from.
  • Try different color for the main idea, branches and sub-branches to help focus and organize the thoughts.
  • Keep the topic label as short as possible.
Online Mind Maps
As everything is now going online, creating mind maps becomes such a piece of cake. No need to prepare paper and pen, all students need only a laptop or even a mobile phone. There are many websites offering free mind mapping tools that can be used by both the teacher and students. Some are free, but the others are not. The following lists are some free web-based mind maps tools which do not require the users to register on the website.
Mind maps provide teachers with insight into their students’ thought process regarding a specific topic. By asking students to create mind maps demonstrating their comprehension of a concept, teachers are able to understand what a student’s prior knowledge was and how well the student understands the assignment or the material being taught. Therefore, ts is a very effective way of evaluating students’ understanding.


References:
Beaver, Karen, 2014. Mind and Concept Mapping. Tips and Trends Instructional Technologies Commitee. 
Buzan, Tony. 1995. The Mind Map Book. 2nd edn., BBC Books: London.
Fenner, Susan. What is a Mind Map? - Definition & Examples. An Article published on http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-mind-map-definition-examples.html
Maurizal Alamsyah. 2009. KiatJituMeningkatkanPrestasiDengan Mind Mapping.Yogyakarta: MitraPelajar 
Writing Center. 2014. Mind Mapping Writing Centre Learning Guide. North Terrace campus, The University of Adelaide. Retrieved from http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/
What is Mind Mapping? (and How to Get Started Immediately). Retrieved from https://litemind.com/what-is-mind-mapping/ on January 12th, 2017
7 Mind Mapping Uses for Students. Retrieved from https://imindmap.com/articles/7-mind-mapping-uses-for-students/on January 12th, 2017
Cambridge Dictionary. http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/mind-map

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