Mental map as a way to visualize thinking

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Now almost everyone knows the expression "business training". They are used everywhere in large companies and small firms. As a rule, with their help, they try to organize the work of all personnel as efficiently as possible. They were invented not so long ago, but it was with the help of the visualization method that trainings became much more effective. The mind map is the best way to indicate the end and the means. It makes it much easier to detail and organize all the elements.

History of Creation

The system of today's popular mental maps was invented by the famous psychologist and writer Tony Buzan. He has already published several hundred articles and books on intellectual development, psychology and problems of human thinking. Of course, he did not become a pioneer in the visualization of goals and methods for achieving them. With the help of special diagrams and graphic drawings, Japan in the 70s was able to practically carry out a revolution in the economy. But it was Buzan who presented to the entire scientific world in 1974 his ownimproved theory of radiant thinking. The mind map became a hit at the turn of the millennium.

Tony was able to effectively combine psychology, neurolinguistics, mnemonics and speed reading, as well as many scientific theories and methods to develop and improve creative thinking. For example, when taking notes, he introduced only two colors into the graphics, and it became much easier and more interesting to memorize them. Together with his brother Buzan, he was able to piece together and build into a coherent theory all the scientific developments. This is how modern mind maps appeared.

Spheres of use of the developed program

The method of mental maps has found its practical application in a wide variety of areas of human activity. Mind mapping will be useful for a manager, employees of any company, teachers, journalists, etc. In addition, it can be used in everyday life to solve various everyday and organizational problems.

This technique will be most suitable for developing your own creativity and introspection. This will allow us to detect and overcome all shortcomings, as well as highlight areas for further development and improvement.

Mental maps will be especially useful in the following areas:

• memorization (preparing for all kinds of exams, memorizing lists, tables, etc.);
• training (optimization of abstracts, writing creative assignments and better assimilation of textbooks);
• brainstorming (teamwork, newideas);
• presentation (highlighting the main thing and effectively conveying a common goal and thought);
• planning (development of own projects and strategies of behavior, as well as the ability to plan one's own time in a quality manner);
• decision making (deep analysis, balanced and reasonable conclusions).

Efficiency of mind maps

Using this technique allows you to see many previously hidden things and nuances. At the same time, new creative possibilities open up, associative thinking is involved. All this helps to solve unsolvable problems and find a graceful way out of the most confusing situations.

Ready-made mental maps allow you to store and constantly return to important information and goals, to structure and improve your own "I". At the same time, information presented in a radiant way is easily perceived and quickly remembered. The main work takes place in the process of creating mind maps. Subsequently, one glance is enough to remember all the necessary details. This can be useful both in performing global tasks and in everyday worries, when it is difficult to focus on a goal.

Of particular interest is the fact that any person has a very special mental map. It is like a reflection of individual thinking, an imprint of the work of a particular brain.

Basic rules for creating mind maps

Each method has its own principles of operation and work order. So the compilation of mental maps has its own rules, which were determined by Tony Buzan himself:

1. Start with a colorful color picture in the center.
2. All words must be capitalized.
3. Structurally, all sentences should be visually related.
4. Don't use keywords too often. It is optimal to use one key per line.
5. Pictures and familiar symbols will only add clarity to the map.
6. Better to use some bright colors in the project.
7. Don't try to limit your own thinking. It is required to record absolutely everything that comes to mind on a given topic.

Some features of building effective mental maps

Also, in the process of creating and using a smart map, there are several more features that require voicing and highlighting:

• To visualize goals and objectives, you will need a sheet of standard A4 format. Then the mental map will be well received and contain all the information of interest.
• Keys should be placed directly above the lines. This contributes to visibility.
• Please use capital letters.
• The length of the drawn branch must match the key.

Mental map: how to make

Creating a mind card is quite simple. After all, this is a kind of tree diagram, where the central branch represents the main idea.

First, the main idea must be determined. ThenYou will need a blank sheet of A4 paper. It will easily fit the entire mental map. How to make a tree, the subconscious will tell you. In the middle there should be a main idea, and logically interconnected branches come from it. To draw a map correctly, it is enough to follow the simple rules outlined by Tony Buzan himself. In addition, the mind map can be supplemented with numerous notes so as not to miss anything important.

Mental maps in education

As you know, most of our lives we learn something: at school, at a specialized institute, at work and even at home. But not everyone can memorize and, most importantly, practically apply the acquired knowledge. Too large volumes of information and limited time do not allow learning and memorizing information fully. One of the solutions to such problems can be called mental maps in education. This method has been used since the dawn of Tony Buzan's theory and has shown stunning results.

First of all, the method is useful in creating simple and memorable notes, visualizing lectures, writing term papers and abstracts, etc. Cisco CCNA Exploration is recognized as one of the clearest examples of the use of mind maps in international education. The essence of this program lies in the fact that the academy divided all the work into several parts, chapters and subchapters. In addition, each element of learning is presented in the form of a mental map, highlighted in a certain color. This greatly simplified the submission and memorization of information, and also halved the time fortheory teaching. Easy to understand courses are especially popular with students and teachers.

Programs for creating various mental maps

We still live in an age of high and advanced technology. Now you can use not only your own creativity and creativity, but also special templates and computer utilities. There are also special programs for creating mental maps. They can be easily found on the Internet, while the programs are paid and free, complex and simple. This gives you the right to choose your own assistant. The most popular of them:

1. "Mindomo". Both free and more advanced paid versions are available. Made in the style of "Microsoft Office".
2. "Maomyself". The main feature and drawback is that there is no possibility of simultaneous work of several users.
3. "Mindmeister". You can create three cards for free. The interface is simple and clear.
4. "Mind42". Pretty simplified version. It is not possible to link cards and attach additional files.
5. "Xmind". The most popular utility, additionally allows you to work with Grant diagrams.
6. "Freemind". Free application, fully adapted to any platform. The downside is outdated design.
7. "BubblUs". Free online program. Creates beautiful and understandable mind maps.

Mistakes when building a mind card

Whenfor the first time you do something on your own, small blots and miscalculations are not ruled out. The same statement applies to the construction of a rendered project. To avoid them, you need to study the most common mistakes that occur during work:

• Mental map too complex and layered (it's best to use original notes and keep maps as simple and clear as possible).
• Same designs, colors and fonts for different levels and branches (each level and key must be highlighted accordingly to be visually different).
• Lack of pictures and icons (it is these elements that provide the functionality of the map. But you need to select them in advance).
• Ambiguity and confusion (all items must be logically related. Otherwise it's just a list).