Concept and Mind MappingConcept-Mapping" is a tool for assisting and enhancing many of the types of thinking and learning that we are required to do .
To do a Map, write the main idea in the centre of the page - it may be a word, a phrase, or a couple of juxtaposed ideas, for example - then place related ideas on branches that radiate from this central idea.
Mapping may be seen as a type of brainstorming. Both Mapping and brainstorming may be used to encourage the generation of new material, such as different interpretations and viewpoints: however,
Mapping relies less on intentionally random input, whereas, during brainstorming, one may try to think up wild, zany, off-the-wall ideas and connections.
Brainstorming attempts to encourage highly divergent "lateral" thinking, whereas Mapping, by its structure, provides opportunity for convergent thinking, fitting ideas together, as well as thinking up new ideas, since it requires all ideas to be connected to the centre, and possibly to one another.
Paradoxically, the results of brainstorming usually appear on paper as lists or grids - both unavoidably linear structures: top to bottom, left to right. Mapping is less constrictive - no idea takes precedence arbitrarily (eg. by being at the "top" of the list).
From: www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/map_ho.html
Another view: education.guardian.co.uk/schools/comment
Mind map examples: www.mind-mapping.co.uk/mind-maps-examples.htm
Free Concept/Mind Mapping software: homepage.ntlworld.com/rob.burn/Freemindsoftware.htm
