What is Mind Mapping?

                                                             What is Mind Mapping?

Mind works on pictures not on words or language. Mind mapping is becoming hot blowing news in the new millennium and is widely accepted in educational institutions, big business houses and the government. Mind Mapping is a simple technique for drawing information in diagrams, instead of writing it in sentences. It is often created around a single concept, drawn as an image in the center of a blank page, to which associated representations of ideas such as images, words and parts of words are added. Major ideas are connected directly to the central concept, and other ideas branch out from those like a tree. Thus mind mapping is a visual form of note taking that offers an overview of a topic and its complex information.

Mind understands language of picture only. To understand any form of text, you need to read it. Reading involves two step processes; first you interpret the sentences, then you create a mental image and hold it in your mind. 

In case of mind map to understand a mind map, you just need to see it. A mind map directly represents the mental image that you would create from text. So on looking at mind map you can get to the meaning in one step, not in two steps. 

Purpose of Mind Mapping

"Purpose of mind mapping is to focus attention, and to capture and frame knowledge to facilitate sharing of ideas and concepts."

How to write a mind map?

According to Buzan Center Australia the following guidelines are suggesting for creating mind maps: 

   Step I - Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors.

   Step II - Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your mind map.

   Step III - Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.

   Step IV - Each word/image is best alone and sitting on its own line.

   Step V - The lines should be connected, starting from the central image. The lines         become thinner as they radiate out from the center.

   Step VI - Make the lines the same length as the word/image they support.

    Step VII - Use multiple colors throughout the mind map, for visual stimulation and also for encoding or grouping.

    Step VIII - Develop your own personal style of mind mapping.

    Step IX - Use emphasis and show associations in your mind map.

   Step X - Keep the mind map clear by using radial hierarchy or outlines to embrace your branches.

 

Benefits of Mind Mapping

1. It facilitates better understanding of relationships and connections between ideas and concepts.
2. It helps mind to understand very quickly.
3. Make it easy to organize ideas and concepts
4. Its reduces work load – “tons of work”
5. Its help to focus on the task for better results.
6. In all forms with clarity and conciseness.
7. Speeches become clear, relaxed and alive. You can be at your best.
8. You can develop the idea fast.
9. Mind map can remarkably stimulate your brain in a new way.