| Definition of Mind Mapping | | | | visually organize the key topics from the sub-topics. |
| Mind mapping involves the use of a Mind Map to | | | | When you believe you have recalled as much of the |
| represent ideas and concepts in a visual form where | | | | topic as possible then speed read books related to |
| the central theme or topic is located at the centre of | | | | your subject so that you can quickly determine the |
| the mind map and subtopics are arranged around a | | | | different categories that the topic is composed of. |
| central keyword or idea. | | | | Don't forget to look at the content pages of the |
| Mind Maps are considered one of the most effective | | | | books to get a broad summary of the different |
| note taking strategies and a number of different | | | | sub-topics and elements of the subject you are |
| mind mapping software tools exist to facilitate the | | | | studying. This will help you to focus on the most |
| creation of mind maps. | | | | important information when reading the subject in |
| Why create Mind Maps | | | | greater detail. |
| Mind mapping is the most effective way of learning, | | | | Prioritise those books that provide the most valuable |
| generating new ideas, summarizing and organising | | | | information you require for passing the exam and |
| information you want to recall. Mind maps can also | | | | read those books in depth. |
| facilitate creativity, problem solving, decision making | | | | Now add more detail to your Mind Map by adding |
| and the generation of new ideas. | | | | branches and keywords and phrases after reading |
| They are a great tool when revising for exams as | | | | each category or section. These keywords or |
| they enable you to see how the different topics and | | | | phrases should encapsulate the main ideas and |
| concepts are associated and provide visual cues | | | | sub-topics. |
| which are great for quickly reviewing a subject | | | | This will aid in recalling the information you have just |
| before an exam and recalling information that would | | | | read, will help to maintain important knowledge in |
| normally be lost from your long term memory. | | | | your long term memory and will greatly assist when |
| How to create a Mind Map for revision | | | | reviewing the subject before the exam. |
| Lets say you want to use Mind Mapping to revise for | | | | Don't forget to keep adding to your Mind Map after |
| an exam. It is a good idea to first determine how | | | | gaining knowledge that you consider important for |
| much knowledge of the subject you already have. | | | | the exam. Your Mind Map should become larger over |
| This will help when you want to build upon that | | | | time and more branches should be created moving |
| knowledge later by developing associations and | | | | even further from the central topic. Your Mind Map |
| connections from the knowledge you have already | | | | should become more detailed so make sure you use |
| gained. | | | | a large sheet of paper. Keep reviewing your Mind |
| Obtain a large sheet of paper and write down the | | | | Map every few days to reinforce the information |
| subject or topic you are revising for at the centre of | | | | you have learned. |
| the sheet. Then write down the main subtopics | | | | When you get closer to the exam you should be |
| related to that central topic by creating branches | | | | able to recall in detail the knowledge gained by |
| moving out from the central keyword. Add sub- | | | | glancing at your Master Mind Map which should now |
| branches to these subtopics containing keywords or | | | | contain a detailed summary of an entire subject or |
| short phrases summarizing key ideas that you can | | | | topic. |
| recall from memory and try to see how the different | | | | The images will greatly assist in recalling information |
| sub-topics and elements are associated. | | | | at a glance and the Mind Map itself will help you to |
| You should avoid the temptation to write in | | | | see how all the elements and sub-topics are |
| sentences. Linear note taking uses this method and it | | | | associated and ordered. The mind works best via |
| is very ineffective for recalling important information. | | | | association and images. |
| Try to include no more then 4 words when | | | | When the mind can get a broad perspective of a |
| summarizing an idea or concept. If you can sum up | | | | subject and can understand how the different topics |
| an idea with one word then that is even better. Use | | | | are associated and ordered this is the most effective |
| plenty of colour and images to make key topics | | | | method for learning and recalling information. Also the |
| stand out with larger writing and images for the main | | | | images give more mental 'hooks' for the mind to |
| topics that are nearer the centre of the Mind Map | | | | latch onto and so aid in recall. |
| and smaller writing and images for those on the | | | | Good luck with your exams. However if you have |
| outside of the Mindmap. This will help your mind to | | | | taken my advice you wont need it. |