Mind-Mapping A Tool for Thinking, Organizing and Note-Taking©

North Star Facilitators Barbara J. MacKay, M.S., CPF© (503) 579-5708 www.northstarfacilitators.com

Permission is given to copy this handout for personal use. Permission is not given to copy the handout for training others without prior written authorization.

Introduction “The Mind Map can be used where any traditional note taking system is used. It is especially useful in creative thinking, speech preparation and presentation, note taking, strategic planning, decision making, problem solving and training.” Tony Buzan In this café, we will learn and practice:

• How the brain processes information • A visual note-taking and needs assessment

method that allows you to capture complex conversations or information on one page only

• How to use the tool to summarize succinctly

what your clients just told you in mere minutes

• How to connect with your clients in ways you never have before!

What is the technique in a nutshell?

The Mind Map process, developed by Tony Buzan1, is a powerful graphic (visual) technique which uses color, key words, and images to summarize, sort, and retain information on any topic. Mind-mapping used for note-making is the process by which you extract information from either your or others’ memory, or from your or others’ creative reservoirs and organize that information in an external form. It is the process by which you organize your own or others’ ideas in either a dyadic or polycategoric (more complex) way. It can help tremendously with decision-making. It is also known as radiant thinking because we as individuals and groups can start with one concept and draw “radiant” branches of similar information associated with it. We then can take another concept related to the main topic and create another set of associated information in branch like formations. We keep doing this until we have captured all the information we wish related to this main topic. A very simple version related to this is illustrated below.

1

The MindMap Book, Tony Buzan, 1995, BBC Books provides an excellent in depth exploration of Mind Mapping.

Barbara J. MacKay North Star Facilitators

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Sample Simple Mind-Mapping Framework

Buying A House

Why use this technique? The mind mapping technique is helpful for facilitators and consultants because it allows you to summarize a client’s information very quickly and succinctly when you are first interviewing them. It can also be used to help a group brainstorm everything they know about a topic or every idea they have to fix a problem, create a new policy or program, etc. The benefits are that people can talk about very different things and still see how their ideas fit into the whole concept. It allows them to add information to a discussion or topic that cam earlier in a session. You can impress yourself, clients, and colleagues because your recall is accurate and organized and they hear you retell their “story” like it is your own. Additionally for kinesthetic and visual learners, this tool will greatly enhance learning, recall or participation.

What supplies are needed? For your own note-making: • Blank 8 ½ x 11 paper • Fine tipped felt pens of many colors (at least 8-10 colors) For group brainstorming: •

Large, blank paper. Use several flipchart sheets taped together with tape on the underside or cut an 8-10 foot section form a paper roll. These paper rolls are available for purchase in most art supply stores.

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•

Bold colors of thick tipped felt pens (non-toxic and non-bleeding). Neuland sells refillable ones in many colors. Avoid using yellow, red or pale orange for the words or lines. These colors can be used for parts of some of the images.

Who and when to use this technique with? Use this technique with yourself for note-making, brainstorming, reviewing material for study and test-making, to prepare and design speech outlines, and meeting agendas, and to assist your thinking for problem-solving and decision-making. Use this technique in groups of less than 30 to capture existing knowledge around a particular topic, to brainstorm ideas around a specific open-ended question, to prepare an outline for a report or group presentation and more. Example group mindmap questions are:

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What do we know about this topic?

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How shall we resolve this issue?

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What are the ideas we want to include in this report?

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What do we want to have happen at our retreat?

Practice Exercise In general, start with words and five-seven branches. 1.) A good way to start practicing is to do this first for yourself around a few topics or questions. Buzan gives the following sample questions: Imagine, and then Mind Map, why it would be fun to: 1. Go out with a … 2. Buy a… 3. Learn a… 4. Change a… 5. Believe a… 6. Begin a… 7. Create a… Barbara J. MacKay North Star Facilitators

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8. Finish a… Make sure that you specify an object for each item on the list, and try choosing some ‘absurd’ objects in order to boost your imagination, memory and creative thinking abilities all at the same time. The next step is to do a very quick mind Map for each one, choosing no more than seven major reasons why each item would be fun. (A secondary benefit of these exercises is that they often result in real actions being taken when you realize how much fun you could be having!) 2.) Practice using a version of the template below for a telephone interview with your “clients” using the what, why, where, who, how template below.

Client Assessment

3.) Add simple graphics to your mind-maps such as smiley faces, and simple images that will help you recall information.

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Elaborating a Mind Map Example Mind Maps are provided at the end of this handout. The key is to experiment and not feel limited by the basic guidelines given below.

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Start in the middle of a horizontal

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Page, placing the main idea in the center, developing outwards in a radial form.

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Use a minimum number of words. Preferably use keywords or just images. This will aid creative right-brain thinking

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Represent the main idea with a clear image.

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Use adequate space to accommodate and balance out these ideas.

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Underline keywords or circle them in one color to strengthen the map structure.

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Use block letters for the main branches.

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Use a different color for each branch and its key words.

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Think three-dimensional.

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Use arrows, icons and visual elements to differentiate one idea from another.

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When you have no more ideas or thoughts on one sub-theme, go on to the next sub-theme. Don’t judge or try to modify them.

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Try to use an image, icon or symbol that is meaningful to you or the group for every sub-theme.

Barbara J. MacKay North Star Facilitators

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(503) 579-5708 www.northstarfacilitators.com

Barbara J. MacKay North Star Facilitators

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(503) 579-5708 www.northstarfacilitators.com

Barbara J. MacKay North Star Facilitators

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(503) 579-5708 www.northstarfacilitators.com