What is Mind mapping?
Mind mapping is method of brainstorming that uses visual cues for putting thoughts onto paper.  This produces an easy to read result that is visual, fun, fast and creative.  Many different ideas and unexpected connections can be easily drawn limiting words and increasing understanding.  A picture, idea or central word is used to begin with, branches are then drawn out, free associations and other words are added as they appear in one’s brain as they arise in the course of thinking about or studying the topic.  From these nodes, further branches are drawn.  This can create a web like image, ideas can further be linked via arrows - In a short period of time many connections can be drawn for a single word.

What Does Mind Mapping Look Like?

Here is some of my study notes in a mind map.  I have contracted the branches using my software - but as can be seen many ideas can be easily linked

What is Mind mapping Good For?
This technique can be used for:

• Summarizing Meetings
• Lecture Notes
• Coming Up With Marketing Ideas
• Creating Web Site Layouts
• Beating Blogger’s Block
• Mapping Out Goals
• Resume Creation
• Formulating Plans
• Trying To Remember Forgotten Things

Why Mention It In This Blog?

The reason that Mention this is that I have recently been told how effective this technique can be, and am experimenting with it for my current studying.  I have found that it is very quick to be able to look things up, and in open book exams looks like a great way of quickly navigating to where I want to go.  I think it is also good for finding patterns from lectures and topics that seem otherwise completely disconnected.

Can I Use Software For Mindmapping?

There is many free and commercial programs for creating mind maps.  I have downloaded and tested some, and the easiest and most versatile that I have used is Freemind.   This can be located here.  This is a free java based program that can create maps such as my example above..  It is easy to import and export to and from a variety of formats, You can expand nodes and its printing options are flexible.  Please find a quality pdf here.

Where Can I find More information?

• Mind Mapping Co; http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/mind-maps-examples.htm
• http://www.ufh.ac.za/library/InfoLit/mindmap6.html
• Lawmaps - An excellent law related site with plenty of legal related mind maps to download, it is a pity they dont have any Australian maps and are not as current as they should be - http://www.lawmaps.org/

Where Can I download Mind Maps?

There do not appear to be any sites to download mind maps on any topic.  I am considering building a site that is a repository of ideas represented in mind maps, If you have any mind maps you would like to donate please contact me above.

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