MindMapping

Nothing new under the sun… At least I thought so until recently, when I had to cover horrendous lesson with one cheesy dated and American (in the way, how they present things, like they have just discovered new world) video. Except these facts and that it was lower set year 11 absolutely not interested and I would add offended by the way how it was presented, I think it was actually great resource. Not for year 11 and probably not as classroom – rather teacher’s tool. The reason is the great way, how to make notes on lectures and text from the book.

Almost every student today knows how to use mind map for brainstorming and revision. But I have never seen it using for notes taking. And it is soooo obvious. Title as the main idea in the middle. Subtitles/keywords as branches resp. sub-branches and then some details, more relationships etc. I had a go with Y7 today to make notes on topic from geography this way – well. I am not sure whether my instructional approach worked with everybody (some mind maps they made were just with one level of keywords), but as I plan to add it to my repertoire, I believe, they will become more accomplished (and I will improve my instructions).

It also reminded me, that I keep forgetting, that sometimes I can make students more confused. My instructions are not as clear as I think they are. Another personal/professional target…