Week 4 - Mind mapping

A mind map literally maps out our thoughts and ideas. Mind mapping is useful as it is a more structured and organised way to brainstorm and collate ideas. Basically a mind map extracts our ideas from our head into something more visual and structure. It helps us plan and organise our thinking before we start writing or get stuck into a project or assignment. 

A mind map can turn a long list of boring information into a colourful, memorable and highly organised diagram that works in line with our brain's natural way of doing things. There can be as many branches in a mind map. Like example there will be a subject and from the subject there will be a few branches for the ideas and from ideas there will be sub ideas and the list goes on. We can make a mind map with any tool. We can use colour pens to draw them or even use a mind map software.

Here are five essential characteristics of a Mind Map:

• The main idea, subject or focus is crystallized in a central image.
• The main themes radiate from the central image as 'branches'.
• The branches comprise a key image or key word drawn or printed on its associated line.
• Topics of lesser importance are represented as 'twigs' of the relevant branch.
• The branches form a connected nodal structure. 

 (http://www.mindmapping.com/theory-behind-mind-maps.php)

I think mind mapping is almost as similar as brainstorming and it helps a lot with group projects. It makes the discussion more interesting and less boring. Ideas will usually just keeps on flowing in with the help of brainstorming and mind maps.