Mind Mapping Mistakes
Model Learning
Back in the early 1970s, the language of mind maps was full of New Age optimism about the then recent brain research. Marilyn Ferguson’s book The Brain Revolution (1973) heralded a new era of so called brain–based learning.
Sadly, nothing has changed much. In schools up and down the country you still hear talk of hemispheres, synapses, intelligences and so forth. All jolly inspirational no doubt to those who don’t know any better. But severely lacking in any practical advice on how to build knowledge and understanding in students.
Take this example from the renowned Kagan company. Rightly respected for their work on cooperative learning, here they veer into the mindless banter of accelerated learning.
Their three action steps are:
1. Create the central image
2. Brainstorm main ideas
3. Add details
None of which even mentions —let alone explains—the act of organising thoughts through categorisation. Remarkably, the main feature and function of mind maps is entirely missing! Well, to be fair, not quite missing. Under the banner Helpful Hints it recommends students “redraw their maps to organise them”. It’s a bit late by then. And nowhere is there any advice on how exactly to do that.
Categorising is central to the power of mind mapping but it is rarely mentioned or taught. As a result it remains a brainstorming tool.
That’s not bad in itself but real thinking —thinking that is a effective for understanding and writing — is based on organising thoughts. Not merely dumping them onto paper and decorating them with coloured pencils!
If you’re interested in the rigour of our approach at Model Learning, see our booklet WiseGuide to Model Mapping available from our shop:
http://modellearningshop.com/books/wiseguide-to-model-mapping.html
Why do we call it Model Mapping and not mind mapping? Simple. To distance ourselves from the sloppy and ineffectual approach typical of the world of mind mapping.
Reader Comments (1)
I wonder if mind-mapping would help an entrepreneur? What are some of the uses in the workplace?