Mapping Experts

Innovation in Learning

Philippe Boukobza — Tue, 11 May 2010 12:07:00 +0200

Concise Learning: Learn More & Score Higher in Less Time with Less Effort , by Toni Krasnic , provides a powerful and practical learning method for students. He calls it the Concise Learning method (CLM). CLM is based on the author’s experience as a college teacher and solid research in cognitive psychology.

In my opinion, CLM will greatly help students improve their understanding, self-organization, time management and will empower them to become much more engaged and motivated. These aspects will lead to better grades and success in school.

A Whole Brain Thinking Approach

The use of mind mapping, which Toni calls “visual mapping,” as a learning tool is central to the CLM. The creation of visual maps provides deeper understanding and improves memorization. Concise Learning guides us through a whole brain thinking approach that logically connects Tony Buzan’s mind mapping with Joseph Novak’s meaningful understanding and concept mapping. With Concise Learning, students learn to develop their visual thinking skills and improve their learning methodology. This should be of interest to all students and to most of us: we can all improve the way we learn.

CLM defines 5 phases to prepare for an exam: Preview, Participate, Process, Practice and Produce. Each phase is divided into 4 steps: identify key concepts, organize and connect key concepts, think critically and ask key questions. I especially loved the permanent use of critical thinking and questioning throughout the five phases.

Another key aspect of this book is the way it encourages us to discover and make use of “skills of success.” These are summarized in 13 visual maps and provide a solid foundation for skills that students need to be successful.

SimpleDiagrams : a new Software for Visual Thinking

Philippe Boukobza — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:26:00 +0100

I recently discovered a new Software dedicated to visual thinking. It’s downloadable for free here http://www.simplediagrams.com.

This software is very light, working under Adobe Air and then indifferently on Mac, Windows or Linux.

As using it , I was thinking about Dan Roam’s excellent book “The Back of the Napkin ” that explains how to use Visual Thinking with simple pictures for solving problems or clarifyning complex situations . And it is exactly what SimpleDiagrams does : it helps using simple shapes, in a hand-drawn style in order to explain processes, arguments, etc .... With SimpleDiagrams you can also create a clean mindmap, with organic branches and useful icons.

Some Features :

Drag, drop and size symbols from libraries
Add photos and post-notes
Various background styles (chalkboard, whiteboard, etc.)
Save diagrams on your computer
Export your diagram to PNG

Strengths In my opinion, this software has several advantages:

Ability to create mind maps
Encourages creativity through the use of visual metaphors.
Encourages simplicity and clarity
Works on Mac, Windows and Linux
Easy to use
Free version fully usable
Clean, like hand drawn, visual rendering

Getting the Most out of Mind Mapping

Philippe Boukobza — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:56:00 +0100

Very interesting and useful presentation of Michael Deutsch from a webinar he gave about GTD Connect. Getting The Most Out Of Mind Mapping

View more presentations from michaeldeutch.

MindMeister : Mind Mapping in the cloud and now for iPhone

Philippe Boukobza — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:39:00 +0200

Mindmeister is a powerful web-based mind mapping application with excellent import and export features for most major formats. With currently over 300,000 users, Mindmeister recently lauched his new application for iPhone and iPod touch in the App Store. I often use Mindmeister, especially for collaboration and embedding mindmaps in blogs (see above).

The new MindMeister iPhone application allows you to take your online mind maps with you wherever you go. Just sign in to your Mindmeister account when you first start the app, browse and download your mind maps for local editing and let the application take care of synchronising them with the cloud.

Mindmeister for iPhone + iPod touch is officially available in the App Store now for only $6.99 / €5.49. It works with any MindMeister account - even the free Basic one - and pretty much all iPhone / iPod touch versions (minimum OS 2.2.1).

I have 5 free licences to offer , contact me if you are interested ( see map above)

Links :
The iPhone page on MindMeister:
www.mindmeister.com/iphone/
The app in the App Store:
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=291226775&mt=8

Should we actualize the Laws of Mind Mapping?

Philippe Boukobza — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:47:00 +0200

I made this mind map using NovaMind in order to summarize the laws of Mind Mapping. Those laws are inspired by Tony Buzan, the originator of the actual Mind Mapping approach.

I could have added some tips but this map represent the common laws actually used by the majority of mind mappers. But, the question is : should we actualize the laws of Mind Mapping ? Mind Mapping Softwares and new directions like Mindscaping are putting in question the validity of the actually recognized laws.

Here are some of my suggestions :

- Use short blocks of text for adding quotes or short phrases

- Limit the number of main branches from about 4 to about 9, the limits of the working memory capacity

- Use clouds or background's zones in order to underline parts of the map

- Use circles, rectangles and simple geometric shapes for the titles of main branches

- Photos can be used instead of symbols - Use floating topics, very carefully, to add special information

- Limit the number of colours you use

- Start the main branches lecture from the upper-left or from upper-right axe starting from the centre

- Use the " " " " " " to positionate main branches, images and titles

Do you have suggestions ?