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Module 4: Introduction to Critical and Creative Thinking Section 4: Visual Maps

What's my motivation? In this section we will learn about Visual Maps, also know as Mind Maps, Concept Maps or Spider Diagrams. Visual Maps are an excellent way of arranging information and identifying gaps in knowledge.

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A visual or concept map is a visual form of note-making that can be done either individually or as part of a group. At its heart is a central image or idea. This is then explored by means of branches which represent all the main ideas that connect to the central concept. From each "main idea" these branch out into "sub-ideas" which explore the specific themes in greater depth. And to these branches of sub-ideas you can add more sub-branches, going on to explore the idea in even more depth. Popularised by Tony Buzan, Visual Maps abandon the list format of conventional note taking. They do this in

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favour of a two-dimensional structure. A good visual Map shows the 'shape' of the subject, the relative importance of individual points and the way in which one fact relates to other.

Who's who: Tony Buzan

Tony Buzan (1942-) is the originator of mind mapping and coined the term mental literacy. He was born in London and received double Honours in psychology, English, mathematics and the General Sciences from the University of British Columbia in 1964. He is probably best known for his book, Use Your Head, his promotion of mnemonic systems and his mind-mapping techniques. Most of his teaching generally divides up into: general awareness of the extensive capabilities and capacities of the brain and its functions, memory skills, reading skills, mind map note-taking, creativity, and how brain function can be improved over time into old age.

Tony Buzan developed Mind Mapping while at University out of frustration that traditional notes took up so much time to create and review. As research indicated the brain responds best to key words, images, colours, and direct association, mind mapping was more than discovered than developed to be the best way a piece of paper could act as a technique for taking notes from a book or lecture. Refining these ideas into a simple set of laws that one can follow. His brother Barry Buzan, who co-wrote The Mind Map Book, suggested the technique could also be used to captures notes from one's own creative ideas. Many sources, including the note books of Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, Winston Churchill have been found to contain things that either look like, or follow a sub-set of the Mind Map laws.

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How to draw a Visual Map The main ideas are identified and the sub-ideas are then explored in order that each student can be responsible for a specific part of the topic. Just as the branches are all connected, so all the ideas are all related to each other, this gives Context Map an additional depth that a simple list can never achieve. By working from the centre outwards, a Visual Map encourages learners' thoughts to grow outwards. Soon the learner's ideas will expand and radiate creative thinking. Visual Mapping is an important technique that improves the way you take notes, and supports and enhances your creative problem solving. By using Visual Map, you can quickly identify and understand the structure of a subject and the way that pieces of information fit together, as well as recording the raw facts contained in normal notes. More than this, Visual Map provide a structure which encourages creative problem solving, and they hold information in a format that your mind will find easy to remember and quick to review. Visual Maps are an effective thinking tool because they work with the brain and encourage it to develop associations between ideas: each branch of the Visual Map is associated with the previous branch. This is a visual map which complements how the brain works and can lead to significant results.

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Visual Maps are also useful for: summarizing information consolidating information from different research sources thinking through complex problems, and presenting information that shows the overall structure of your subject Visual Maps are also very quick to review, as it is easy to refresh information in your mind just by glancing at one.

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From the Horse's mouth... Learning how to learn is life's most important skill. The best results are achieved by using the right amount of effort in the right place at the right time. And this right amount is usually less than we think we need. In other words, the less unnecessary effort you put into learning, the more successful you'll be... the key to faster learning is to use appropriate effort. Greater effort can exacerbate faulty patterns of action. Doing the wrong thing with more intensity rarely improves the situation. Learning something new often requires us to unlearn something old. - Tony Buzan on Learning

Improving your Visual Maps Your Visual Maps are your own property: once you understand how to make notes in the Visual Map format, you can develop your own conventions to take them further. The following suggestions may help to increase their effectiveness: Use single words or simple phrases for information: Most words in normal writing are padding, as they ensure that facts are conveyed in the correct context, and in a format that is pleasant to read. In your own Visual Maps, single strong words and meaningful phrases can convey the same meaning more potently. Excess words just clutter the Visual Map. Print words: Joined up or indistinct writing can be more difficult to read. Use colour to separate different ideas: This will help you to separate ideas where necessary. It also helps you to visualize of the Visual Map for recall. Colour also helps to show the organization of the subject. Use symbols and images: Where a symbol or picture means something to you, use it. Pictures can help you to remember information more effectively than words Using cross-linkages: Information in one part of the Visual Map may relate to another part. Here you can draw in lines to show the cross-linkages. This helps you to see how one part of the subject affects another.

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Further Reading on Visual Maps Visual Maps Explained http://www.graphic.org/visual.html http://classes.aces.uiuc.edu/ACES100/Mind/CMap.html Wikipedia: Concept Maps http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concept_map Mindtools page on Mind Maps

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http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm Mind Maps http://www.peterussell.com/mindmaps/mindmap.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_mapping Tony Buzan site on Mind Maps http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/ All material copyright © Inclusive Learning Group 2006. All Rights Reserved. You may print out this material for your own personal use.

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