1. Leeds University Library MindMaps and literature searching for undergraduates Angela Newton a.j.newton@leeds.ac.uk

2. Leeds University Library The lingo MindMaps – “…the Swiss army knife for the brain” (Buzan, 1993) Concept maps Brainstorming Radial thinking Knowledge map

3. Leeds University Library The students Second year Environment students writing a mini dissertation on a pre-defined topic Prior IL sessions at Level 1: – Introduction to using the Library – Introduction to using Web of Science Short attention span! Keen on web resources! Not good at exploring unknown databases! “ Many students skip over the planning stage of a search, and are poor at selecting the right sources and search terms.” (Webber 2002)

4. Leeds University Library Topics Is the Montreal Protocol Working? Realities of land degradation in Africa Environmental influences on benthic macro- invertebrates Economic growth and environmental quality Linking Global Thinking with Local Action in the Food System Corporate social responsibility Attitudes to sustainability Environmental management and sustainability in the public sector

5. Leeds University Library Aims of the session Engage students in planning & executing a literature search – Thinking about keywords – Talking to one another about their subject – Trying some new search techniques (e.g. Boolean) – Exploring new databases Give them inspiration and practical help for their assessment, a mini dissertation

6. Leeds University Library Solution MindMaps help to construct keywords prior to database searching Group work to combat boredom and create discussion Small room (22 workstations) to make the session more manageable x3 practical tasks in 15 minute chunks

7. Leeds University Library Materials for the workshop PowerPoint slides Example of a complete MindMap on a generic topic (A3) MindMap for each dissertation topic with some basic starting points (A3) Worksheet with instructions for each task Referencing leaflet Post-its

8. Leeds University Library Advantages of using MindMaps in literature searching Easy to explain and easy to do No right or wrong answers Novelty No special equipment required Creates discussion Fosters creative thinking Must be done with paper and pen Easy to see what they know and where the gaps in their knowledge are Non-linear thinkers Colourful Dynamic

9. Leeds University Library Problems with the workshop Non-visual thinkers may struggle with MindMaps Requires energy and enthusiasm (even at 9am on a Friday morning!) Students need to turn up in groups Only one copy of the map per group Can require a lot of preparation

10. Leeds University Library I’m more confident about… I’m still not very confident about…

11. Leeds University Library Student feedback (I feel) Much more confident however, didn't realise how unconfident I actually was. I feel fairly confident with all of the tasks in today's session and feel comfortable with using these research methods for my future work. Still not very confident in choosing a database.

12. Leeds University Library Old dog, new tricks Literature searching Problem solving Making a visual representation of an organisational structure Report writing Minute taking Revision Creating presentations

13. Leeds University Library Further reading General principles and applications of MindMapping: – Buzan, Tony. MindMaps.com [online] 2004 [Accessed 12 th April 2005] Available from world wide web http://www.mind- map.com/EN/index.htmlhttp://www.mind- map.com/EN/index.html MindMapping and Information Literacy: – Dale, A. Information – Its all in the mind. Library and Information Update. [Online] April 2003 [Accessed 19 th April 2005], Available from World Wide Web: http://www.cilip.org.uk/publications/updatemagazine/archive/archive 2003/april/update0304b.htm http://www.cilip.org.uk/publications/updatemagazine/archive/archive 2003/april/update0304b.htm – Webber, Sheila. Mapping a path to the empowered searcher. In: Graham, C. (Ed) Online Information 2002: Proceedings: 3-5 December 2002. Oxford: Learned Information Europe. 177-181. Search LIS-INFOLITERACY archives for MindMapping