The brain is a network of billions of neurons firing to send nerve impulses to the rest of the body. We find connections with items of information that we learn through these pathways. Much like a tree, you can visualize a huge trunk that communicates with its branches and the roots below, all connected as one body carrying out their functions to sustain life, a complicated network that synchronizes and works together in one fluid genius. I liken this to the pathways of our brain. These thought processes are purposeful to us. We can make multiple connections through mediums such as books, videos, people, pictures, and our perceptual environment. The neural mind map concept is a powerful aid that can be used at any time on any occasion to connect our thoughts in a meaningful way. Either in real time or with some practice over a lifetime! Some examples of their uses in the class include:
- Learning Essays – 10 20 30 markers
- Building Characters in stories and learning quotes.
- Case Studies in Geography.
- Evaluative responses in humanities or religious studies
- Learning required practical’s, overarching concepts in science
- Historical representations in order of dates and times
AND SO MUCH MORE!
I want to share my strategy with you. I was inspired through the works of a cognitive training program I attended called LoveBrain ltd and the brilliant individuals who executed the building of neural mind-map concepts well before us. No more famous than Tony Buzan. He dedicated his life’s work to give us insight into the processing and memorization of information in one of the most creative ways I have experienced and practiced to date. I have derived a method that works for me and one that I have used with my students in the past to great effect. It relies on our ability to use our faculties (senses) in its entirety. To be open to drawings, visuals, codes and words put together, in a personalized form that resonates with the individual. It debunks studies into categorizing people into specific learner types. You must not take my word for it, judge for yourself. It produces a narrative that you can use to guide and organize your thoughts, allowing your brain to fill in the gaps and capture the story you tell.
Processing information:
- Circle, highlight or comment on key ideas with a few words (1-5) in the margin. These are words which are easy to visualize, shape, sound, draw, feel or talk about because you have background information in it or learnt/understood it beforehand. I often refer to these words as “power” words because they stick well and can be associated very easily by acting as an anchor to build upon.
- Underline or highlight text in another colour, the technical words. They require more thinking and difficult to remember. They need more imagination, visualization or schemas for understanding as they are hard to explain. They can also be a name, definition or mathematical formula. You need to be able find a link. With practice you will get better.
- (OPTIONAL IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING) Make a table and insert the key ideas or technical words into a table. See example below. Once you have grasped the idea, you can transpose straight onto a map without using a table, you will get quicker at this with practice.
| Key Ideas (1-3 words) | Technical words (1-5 words) |
|---|---|
| Solid – ice block wood | Force |
| attraction | Kinetic energy |
| Food and light | Photosynthesis |
Bring it all together in your mind-map (MM)
- Date your work and title in the middle. This should be something that sticks out at you. Maybe use dimensional writing, calligraphy, a picture, or symbol. Something that will fire a memory of what this MM entails.
- Transpose onto a neural mind-map thereafter. The first thick branches should always have your key ideas (noted from table/book etc). The technical words can branch off these key words. The order is IMPORTANT if you want to memorise your MM for an exam. The key ideas can support the visualizations within your mind which are easy to connect (link) and associate with. This technique promotes creative imaginations (VISUALS). A great platform to build memories on.
- Metacognition, ask yourself if this word fits well on a particular branch on the mind-map. Think does it make sense to go there and/or can I connect it to another word, image, symbol or thought on my MM. You can always come back and amend the MM so it fits your narrative.
- Dual Coding: It is in human nature to use audio-visual systems. They provide us meaning of the world around us. When we draw images/doodles in connection with useful words, one is able to form a personal connection with their own thought process. Remember it better and form solidified concepts. By doing this you minimise the excess energy wasted on filller words which all students love to do. So I strongly encourage drawing. Artistic skills looks great but the aim here is for you to remember so do not worry how it looks just make it work!
- PRACTICE and USE COLOUR for better results! Practice in your own time. Remember do not clog your branches with too many words or it becomes messy and induces cognitive load. See mine as an example. There should be no constraint. The colour acts as a personal location identifier, together with pictures and codes the colour can prompt the individual of what was written on their maps. I must stress that there is no perfect way so one should not feel like they are doing it wrong. This is personal to you
Good luck, enjoy and let me know how it goes.
Please see a video to explain this technique in action using a short extract of text I have taken from a Kerboodle AQA chemistry textbook.
(GCSE AQA Chemistry textbook Ryan, L., & Peacock, R. D. (2016). AQA GCSE Chemistry. Oxford University Press.)