Week 1 Mindmapping

A Mindmap of Vegetables

This is the first time I've used a computer to draw a mindmap. I see mindmaps as a really useful tool to organise and clarify my ideas and thought processes. Mindmaps are a great resource to incorporate into all kinds of work and study. Often when drafting an essay I begin with a mindmap to brainstorm ideas and arguments. This helps me to sort out where things fit, and what ideas follow on from another. As I am a creative person, mindmaps 'speak' to me a lot more than notes. Looking back on a mindmap, I can get an immediate visual representation of where my brain went, and why. I contrast, notes can get a little unorganised and hard to understand - I often wonder.. 'where did that idea come from?' Using a mindmap shows me where.


At this stage, I'm unsure of the real value of using computer software to draw a mindmap over a hand drawn one. I suppose as one gets used to the program, using Inspiration, or some other mindmapping software, would be a quick and easy way to get ideas down. It would also be of use for those who are still developing their fine motor skills, or like their work to be very neat. Admittedly, the mindmap I began to draw above is a lot neater than ones in my diary.

http://www.buzan.com.au/learning/mindmapgallery.html I came acoss this link while doing a little more research on mindmapping.. It was a bit frustrating trying to put the hyperlink on the blog.. I can see it at the top of the page, but had to type it myself into this text..

I really like this mindmap. I think what draws me to it is that it's not confined to one medium of communication. It uses drawings and diagrams paired with text. It shows me at a glance the way the mind wanders.