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1. Editor's Note
We have an excellent article about Mind Maps today.
2. Quote of the Week
Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca
3. Mind Maps
Improving Note Taking with Mind MapsMind Mapping is a very important
technique for noting information that is a significant improvement on
conventional methods.
Mind Maps have been developed and popularised by Tony Buzan.
Why use Mind Maps?Mind Maps abandon the list structure of conventional
note-taking completely in favour of a two dimensional structure. A good mind map
shows the 'shape' of the subject, the relative importance of information and
ideas, and the way that information relates to other information. Typically mind
maps are more compact than conventional notes, often taking up one side of
paper. This helps associations to be made easily. Information that is acquired
after the main Mind Map has been drawn can be easily integrated with minimal
disruption.
Mind Maps can also be used well to summarise information, to consolidate
information from different research sources, to think through complex problems
and as a way of presenting information that shows the overall structure of your
subject. Mind Maps are also very quick to review - it is easy to refresh
information in your mind just before it is needed by glancing at one.
For people who have spatial memories, Mind Maps can provide effective
mnemonics - remembering the shape and structure of a Mind Map can provide the
cues necessary to remember the information contained within them. Mind Maps
engage much more of the brain in the process of assimilating and connecting
facts than conventional notes.
Drawing Basic Mind MapsMind Tools Time Management section was planned
and researched using Mind Maps. The Mind Maps used are too large to publish
here, however part of one is reproduced below:
NB: Limitations in the drawing package used have restricted this example to
horizontal text.
To show how the Mind Map above was constructed, we have numbered the order in
which lines were drawn.
A basic Mind Map is drawn in the following way:
- Write the title of the subject in the centre of the page, and draw a
circle around it.
- For the first main heading of the subject, draw a line out from the circle
in any direction, and write the heading above or below the line.
- For sub-headings of the main heading, draw lines out from the first line
for each sub- heading, and label each one.
- For individual facts, draw lines out from the appropriate heading line.
A complete Mind Map may have main topic lines radiating in all
directions, with sub-topics and facts branching off from these, like branches
and twigs from the trunk of a tree. You do not need to worry about the structure
produced - this will evolve of its own accord.
Improving your Mind MapsYour Mind Maps are your own property. Once you
understand how to assemble the basic structure you can develop your own coding
and conventions to take things further, for example to show linkages between
facts. The following suggestions, however, may help to enhance the effectiveness
of your Mind Maps:
- Use single words or simple phrases for information:
the
majority of words in normal texts are padding - they ensure that facts are
conveyed in the correct context to another person in a format that is pleasant
to read. In your own Mind Maps single strong words and evocative phrases can
convey the same meaning. Excess words just clutter the Mind Map, and take time
to write down.
- Print words:
joined up or indistinct writing can be more
difficult to read and less attractive to look at.
- Use colour to separate different ideas:
this will help your
mind to separate ideas where that is necessary, and helps visualisation of the
Mind Map for recall. Colour also helps to show organisation.
- Use of symbols and images:
Where a symbol means something to
you, and conveys more information than words, use it. Pictures help you to
remember information.
- Use shapes, circles and boundaries to connect information:
these are additional tools to help show the grouping of information.
- Use arrows to show cause and effect
SummaryMind Maps provide an extremely effective method of taking notes
which shows the structure of a subject and the relative importance of facts and
ideas in addition to the facts themselves. Mind Maps help to associate ideas and
make connections that would otherwise be too unrelated to be linked.
If you do any form of research or note-taking, try experimenting with Mind
Maps. You will be surprised by their effectiveness.
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4. Questions and Answers
vinodh asks:
Hi my name is vinodh, i have been receiving "HOW TO BECOME A GENIUS" and they are very interesting indeed. i just want to know how did famous people like einstein, hitler etc.. become genius. what did they do to become genius?. THANK YOU.
There are a lot of factors that can be influenced to shape genius. Some of these are genetic, some are related to the personality, some are unknown yet, and some come from the environment and training. Naturally we have little impact on the genetic component. It is also very difficult to shape the personality. However, a conducive environment and years training can lift a seemingly average person to amazing levels of skill or expertise.
Remember, "Genius is one percent inspiration, and ninety-nine percent perspiration."
vinodh asks:
i just want to know when you mean "turn off television" you mean i cannot watch educational like national geograhic,discovery channel, animal planet and or news like cnn or bcc. Please reply. Thank you.
I mean you shouldn't spend a lot of time for watching your TV. You should spend more time for walking. Sometimes a good walk is more useful than a superb TV program. A lack of oxygen is definitely harmful for your brain function. Cells of the brain need oxygen to stay live. When blood flow to the brain is reduced or when oxygen in the blood is too low, brain cells are damaged.
Send your questions to
mailto:lipsky@hotmail.com
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