Course Website: Problem Solving, Communication & Innovation: Mind Maps

2 of 30 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

3 of 30 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

4 of 30 Origins Of Mind Maps Buzan developed Mind Mapping while at University He was frustrated that traditional note-taking took so much time Realising that the brain responds extremely well to key words, colours, and images Buzan developed a simple set of rules for capturing topics in a map His brother, Barry Buzan, then realised that the technique could also help in creative thinking

5 of 30 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

6 of 30 The key points of the book “Orbiting the Giant Hairball” by Gordon MacKenzie

7 of 30 The key points of the book “The Human Mind” by Robert Winston

8 of 30 “What is Happiness?” by the illustrator Paul ForemanPaul Foreman

9 of 30 Maps By Great Thinkers There is evidence to suggest that many great thinkers throughout history have used mind-map type techniques These include Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso and Winston Churchill Images of Da Vinci’s notebooks are available from:

10 of 30 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 Based on

11 of 30 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 Based on

12 of 30 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 Based on

13 of 30 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! Based on

14 of 30 How To Mind Map 1.Take a blank piece of paper, A4 or larger 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 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 them 7.Add third, fourth, … levels of data as thoughts come to you 8.Add emphasis to important points on the map 9.Outline whole branches of the map as you see fit 10.Make your maps a little more beautiful, artistic, colourful, or imaginative 11.Be humorous and have some fun!

15 of 30 Mind Map Exercise Create a mind map of the Google paper we’ve just been discussing - mind map either the paper or the discussion

16 of 30 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

17 of 30 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

18 of 30 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

19 of 30 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!”

20 of 30 A mind map of the book “Psycho-Cybernetics” by Maxwell Maltz

21 of 30 The life and work of Marie Curie

22 of 30 The life and work of William Shakespeare

23 of 30 A summary of some of the many uses of Mind Maps

24 of 30 The key principles of Mind Maps

25 of 30 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 growth Blue is cool and is the colour of the sky, which is above all else

26 of 30 Da Vinci’s Technique Technique from Thinkertoys to help with creative thinking Apparently to generate ideas da Vinci would close his eyes, relax totally and cover a sheet of paper with random scribbles He would then open his eyes and look for images, patterns, objects, faces or events in the scribbles We can use the same technique to generate ideas

27 of 30 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

28 of 30 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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30 of 30 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