Have you ever studied a subject or brainstormed an idea, only to find yourself with pages of information, but no clear view of how it fitted together?

This is where Mind Mapping can help you.

Definition:

A mind map is a diagram used to visually outline information. It is often created around a single word or text that placed in the center. Then, associated ideas, words and concepts should be added. Major categories radiate from a central node, and lesser categories are sub-branches of larger branches. Categories can represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items related to a central key word or idea.

It is a useful  technique that helps you learn more effectively, improves the way that you record information, and supports and enhances creative problem solving.It can be drawn by hand, either as "rough notes" during a lecture or meeting, for example, or as higher quality pictures when more time is available.

By using Mind Maps, you can quickly identify and understand the structure of a subject. You can see the way that pieces of information fit together, as well as recording the raw facts contained in normal notes.

Moreover, Mind Maps help you remember information, as they hold it in a format that your mind finds easy to recall and quick to review.

Lean More About Mind Maps:

 Mind Maps were popularized by author and consultant, Tony Buzan. They are more compact than conventional notes, often taking up one side of paper. This helps you to make associations easily, and generate new ideas. If you find out more information after you have drawn a Mind Map, then you can easily integrate it with little disruption. Besides, "Mind Mapping" helps you break large projects or topics down into manageable chunks, so that you can plan effectively without getting overwhelmed and without forgetting something important.

How it Helps you:

A good Mind Map shows the "shape" of the subject, the relative importance of individual points, and the way in which facts relate to one another. This means that they're very quick to review, as you can often refresh information in your mind just by glancing at one. In this way, they can be effective mnemonics - remembering the shape and structure of a Mind Map can give you the cues you need to remember the information within it. As such, they engage much more of your brain in the process of assimilating and connecting information than conventional notes do.

Mind Maps are useful for: 

• Brainstorming - individually, and as a group.
• Summarizing information, and note taking.
• Consolidating information from different research sources.
• Thinking through complex problems.
• Presenting information in a format that shows the overall structure of your subject.
• Studying and memorizing information.

How to Draw a Basic One :

To draw a Mind Map, follow these steps:

1. Write the title of the subject you're exploring in the center of the page - with picture or not - and draw a circle around it.

2. As you come across major subdivisions or subheadings of the topic (or important facts that relate to the subject) draw lines out from this circle.

3. As you uncover another level of information, draw these as lines linked to the subheading lines.

4. Then, for individual facts or ideas, draw lines out from the appropriate heading line and label them.

5. As you come across new information, link it in to the Mind Map appropriately.

Finally, a complete Mind Map may have main topic lines radiating in all directions from the center. Sub-topics and facts will branch off these, like branches and twigs from the trunk of a tree.

How to use Mind Maps Effectively:

Follow these suggestions to draw impact Mind Maps:

Use Single Words or Simple Phrases:

Many words in normal writing are padding, so , single strong words and short, meaningful phrases can convey the same meaning more potently.

Color Your  Words:

Use Color to Separate Different Ideas. Color can help to show the organization of the subject.

Use Symbols and Images:

Pictures can help you to remember information more effectively than words, so, where a symbol or picture means something to you, use it. 

Example:

Conclusion:

Mind Mapping is an extremely effective method of taking notes. Not only do Mind Maps show facts, they also show the overall structure of a subject and the relative importance of individual parts of it. They help you to associate ideas, think creatively, and make connections that you might not otherwise make.

Your Role:

If you are interest in this method, and you have some notes,facts, information to study and memorize or even problems to solve. Now, it's your solution.So, do the following:

1- On a piece of paper, draw your own mind map ( using colors, picture ).

2- Post it with a description as a blog with a title ( for example: Mind Maps: My Plans for 2013 ).

3- Leave a comment here with a link for your blog.

My Own Map:

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