Gupta (2009) suggests that mind mapping is the 'most effective, 'brain-friendly' way to turn unorganised fleeting ideas into a structured visual map'. In the video below, Tony Buzan indicates that the brain thinks by imagination and association.
I first encountered mind mapping in primary school, and have always found it a very effective way of generating and organising ideas. As a comprehensive high-level visual snapshot, a mind map is a very useful tool. I often use mind maps as way of clarifying my thinking by 'getting back to basics'. Gupta (2009) suggests that the reason mind maps are so effective is that they use each of the primary functions of the brain and activate both left and right sides of the brain simultaneously.
This week I experimented with an online mind mapping tool called Bubbl.us to create the below mind map about the advantages of e-learning.
Bubbl.us has several advantages over the traditional hand-drawn concept map, including its ease of use, simplicity and speed. The mind maps it generates are flexible and can be updated/expanded/edited ad finatum. Obviously, their portability (users can log in and access saved mind maps from any computer) and the ability to be shared electonically are also key advantages.
However, there are several things that hand-drawn mind maps can do that this tool cannot. In a hand-drawn mind map, colour can be used selectively. Colour sometimes unconsciously supports memory and meaning making. Images can be used in place of text or to support text, whereas this function is not available in Bubbl.us. In a hand-drawn mind map 'tree', the boughs (or connections) can be explicitly manipulated to enhance meaning. Although Bubbl.us allows the user to move the bubbles of text and therefore lenthen/shorten the linkages, I felt there was no real way of emphasising critical versus less important connections.
The inability to 'personalise' mind maps (as recommended by Buzan) is probably the key shortcoming of Bubbl.us. As I was experimenting with Bubbl.us, I couldn't help but notice that the mind map was somehow different when not written in my own handwriting. I feel as if the physical act of writing/drawing contributes to the initial learning and somehow my memory of this knowledge is activated by recognition of my own handwriting and the original motor memory. Interesting - I think I will have to do some explore this further at some stage.
Although I don't think Bubbl.us revolutionises mind mapping in any way, it does make the activity significantly faster (and perhaps easier). In a teaching context, I would use Bubbl.us in ways that play on these strengths. For example, students could use Bubbl.us for individual or group brainstorming and assignment planning.
The inability to 'personalise' mind maps (as recommended by Buzan) is probably the key shortcoming of Bubbl.us. As I was experimenting with Bubbl.us, I couldn't help but notice that the mind map was somehow different when not written in my own handwriting. I feel as if the physical act of writing/drawing contributes to the initial learning and somehow my memory of this knowledge is activated by recognition of my own handwriting and the original motor memory. Interesting - I think I will have to do some explore this further at some stage.
Although I don't think Bubbl.us revolutionises mind mapping in any way, it does make the activity significantly faster (and perhaps easier). In a teaching context, I would use Bubbl.us in ways that play on these strengths. For example, students could use Bubbl.us for individual or group brainstorming and assignment planning.
References
Gupta, S. (2009). Mind maps: a simple, effective thinking tool, April 10. Retreived from http:www.slideshare.net/shipragupta/mind-mapping-1469447
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