Problem Solving, Communication & Innovation: Mind Maps

1. Problem Solving, Communication & Innovation: Mind Maps

2. 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. 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. 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. 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. The key points of the book “Orbiting the Giant Hairball” by Gordon MacKenzie http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/

7. The key points of the book “The Human Mind” by Robert Winston http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/

8. “What is Happiness?” by the illustrator Paul Foreman http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/

9. 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: www.bl.uk

10. How To Mind Map Based on www.mind-mapping.co.uk/make-mind-map.htm • Take a blank piece of paper, A4 or larger • Pre-drawn lines can restrict us! • Use the paper in landscape orientation • Start in the centre • 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

11. How To Mind Map (cont…) Based on www.mind-mapping.co.uk/make-mind-map.htm • 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

12. How To Mind Map (cont…) Based on www.mind-mapping.co.uk/make-mind-map.htm • 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 • 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

13. How To Mind Map (cont…) Based on www.mind-mapping.co.uk/make-mind-map.htm • Add emphasis to important points on the map • Maybe put a box around a point • Outline whole branches of the map as you see fit • Try using colours here • The colours can be used to show connections between branches • Make your maps a little more beautiful, artistic, colourful, or imaginative • Be humorous and have some fun!

14. How To Mind Map • Take a blank piece of paper, A4 or larger • Use the paper in landscape orientation • Start in the centre • Make a central image that represents the topic about which you are writing/thinking • The main themes (Basic Ordering Ideas) around the central image are like the chapter headings of a book • Start to add a second level of thought which are linked to the main branch that triggered them • Add third, fourth, … levels of data as thoughts come to you • Add emphasis to important points on the map • Outline whole branches of the map as you see fit • Make your maps a little more beautiful, artistic, colourful, or imaginative • Be humorous and have some fun!

15. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. A mind map of the book “Psycho-Cybernetics” by Maxwell Maltz http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/

21. The life and work of Marie Curie http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/

22. The life and work of William Shakespeare http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/

23. A summary of some of the many uses of Mind Maps http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/

24. The key principles of Mind Maps http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/

25. Mind Map Exercise • 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 • Create a mind map capturing the use of de Bono’s six thinking hats

26. 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. How To Use Da Vinci’s Technique • Da Vinci’s technique is used as follows: • Review a challenge you are working on • Relax • Allow your intuition to offer scenes images and symbols that represent your situation • Provide a format for the challenge by drawing a boundary • Draw as your mind wants to draw • If one drawing does not seem enough take another piece of paper and do another one – up to as many as you need

28. How To Use Da Vinci’s Technique (cont…) • Examine your drawing • Write down the first word that comes to mind for each image, symbol, scribble, line or structure • Combine all the words and write a paragraph • Consider how what you wrote relates to your challenge

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