Course Website: http://www.comp.dit.ie/bmacnamee

Problem Solving, Communication

& Innovation: Mind Maps

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Contents

Today we will have a look at mind-maps and how they can be used in problem solving

– Tony Buzan– Origins of mind maps– How to use mind maps– Popular uses of mind maps– Examples of mind maps– Thinkertoys - Da Vinci’s technique

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Tony Buzan

Tony Buzan is another thinking guru

Buzan has written 82 books available in 100 countries and translated into 30 languages

Buzan is also a bit of a TV star and has featured on the BBC series In Search of Genius and on Blue Peter

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Origins Of Mind Maps

Buzan developed Mind Mapping while at UniversityHe was frustrated that traditional note-taking took so much timeRealising that the brain responds extremely well to key words, colours, and images Buzan developed a simple set of rules for capturing topics in a mapHis brother, Barry Buzan, then realised that the technique could also help in creative thinking

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Origins Of Mind Maps (cont…)

“Use Your Head: Innovative Learning and Thinking Techniques to Fulfil Your Potential”, Tony Buzan, 1974

“The Mind Map Book”, Tony Buzan & Barry Buzan, BBC Active, 1993

“The Ultimate Book of Mind Maps”, Tony Buzan, Harper Thorsons, 2006

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The key points of the book “Orbiting the Giant Hairball” by Gordon MacKenzie

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The key points of the book “The Human Mind” by Robert Winston

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“What is Happiness?” by the illustrator Paul Foreman

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Maps By Great Thinkers

There is evidence to suggest that many great thinkers throughout history have used mind-map type techniquesThese include Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso and Winston Churchill

Images of Da Vinci’s notebooks are available from: www.bl.uk

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How To Mind Map

1. Take a blank piece of paper, A4 or larger– Pre-drawn lines can restrict us!

2. Use the paper in landscape orientation

3. Start in the centre

4. Make a central image that represents the topic about which you are writing/thinking

– Use at least three colours – Keep the height and width of the central

image to about two inches– Allow the image to create its own shape

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How To Mind Map (cont…)

5. The main themes (Basic Ordering Ideas) around the central image are like the chapter headings of a book

– Print this word in CAPITALS or draw an image

– Place on a line of the same length connected to the central image

– The central lines are thick, curved and organic - like the trunk of a tree

– Usually about 3 – 7 themes

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How To Mind Map (cont…)

6. Start to add a second level of thought which are linked to the main branch that triggered them– Connecting lines are thinner – Words are still printed but may be in lower

case

7. Add third, fourth, … levels of data as thoughts come to you– Use images as much as possible– Jump around the map as different thoughts

come to you

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How To Mind Map (cont…)

8. Add emphasis to important points on the map– Maybe put a box around a point

9. Outline whole branches of the map as you see fit– Try using colours here– The colours can be used to show

connections between branches

10.Make your maps a little more beautiful, artistic, colourful, or imaginative

11.Be humorous and have some fun!

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How To Mind Map

1. Take a blank piece of paper, A4 or larger2. Use the paper in landscape orientation 3. Start in the centre4. Make a central image that represents the topic about

which you are writing/thinking 5. The main themes (Basic Ordering Ideas) around the

central image are like the chapter headings of a book 6. Start to add a second level of thought which are linked

to the main branch that triggered them7. Add third, fourth, … levels of data as thoughts come to

you8. Add emphasis to important points on the map9. Outline whole branches of the map as you see fit10. Make your maps a little more beautiful, artistic,

colourful, or imaginative11. Be humorous and have some fun!

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Mind Map Exercise

Create a mind map of the Google paper we’ve just been discussing - mind map either the paper or the discussion

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Mind Maps & Note Taking

Mind maps are a great tool for note taking– Use them at meetings, lectures or when

reading papers/articles

Traditional linear notes are ineffective because:

– They obscure keywords– They are naturally difficult remember

• Boring and monotonous

– They waste time• You have to write them AND you have to read them!

– They fail to stimulate creativity

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Advantages Of Mind Maps

Advantages of mind-mapping over linear note making/taking:

– Time saved• Noting only relevant words• Reading only relevant words• Reviewing mind map notes• Not having to search for keywords amongst

unnecessary verbiage

– Concentration on real issues enhanced– Essential keywords juxtaposed in time and

space – improves creativity and recall

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Advantages Of Mind Maps (cont…)

– Clear associations made between key words– The brain finds it easier to accept and

remember visually stimulating multi-coloured mind maps

– Mind maps work in harmony with the brain’s natural desire for completion or wholeness

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Uses For Mind Maps

Uses for mind maps:– Note taking in lectures/meetings or from

books/papers– Group mind mapping– Mind mapping for creativity

Also try using mind-maps in conjunction with other techniques we’ve studied

– Mind-map based S.W.O.T.– Six hats using mind maps– Mind-map based Consider All Factors

“No-one needs Mind Maps; they need what Mind Maps can do for them!”

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A mind map of the book “Psycho-Cybernetics” by Maxwell Maltz

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The life and work of Marie Curie

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The life and work of William Shakespeare

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A summary of some of the many uses of Mind Maps

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The key principles of Mind Maps

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Mind Map Exercise

Create a mind map capturing the use of de Bono’s six thinking hats

White is neutral and objective

Red suggests anger, rage and emotions

Black is sombre and serious

Yellow is sunny and positive

Green is grass, vegetation and abundant fertile growthBlue is cool and is the colour of the sky, which is above all else

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Da Vinci’s Technique

Technique from Thinkertoys to help with creative thinkingApparently to generate ideas

da Vinci would close his eyes, relax totally and cover a sheet of paper with random scribblesHe would then open his eyes and look for images, patterns, objects, faces or events in the scribblesWe can use the same technique to generate ideas

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How To Use Da Vinci’s Technique

Da Vinci’s technique is used as follows:1. Review a challenge you are working on

2. Relax

3. Allow your intuition to offer scenes images and symbols that represent your situation

4. Provide a format for the challenge by drawing a boundary

5. Draw as your mind wants to draw

6. If one drawing does not seem enough take another piece of paper and do another one – up to as many as you need

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How To Use Da Vinci’s Technique (cont…)

7. Examine your drawing

8. Write down the first word that comes to mind for each image, symbol, scribble, line or structure

9. Combine all the words and write a paragraph

10.Consider how what you wrote relates to your challenge

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Nature’s Handwriting

“I cannot forbear to mention…a new device for study which although it may seem trivial and almost

ludicrous, is nevertheless extremely useful in arousing the mind to various inventions. And that is,

when you look at a wall spotted with stains…you may discover a resemblance to various landscapes,

beautiful with mountains, rivers, rocks, trees. Or again you may see battles and figures in action, or strange faces and costumes, and an endless variety of objects which you could reduce to complete and

well drawn forms”- Leonardo Da Vinci