Using Mind Mapping to Study the Issue Related with Online Education

[Amira Ali]

Challenge

The challenge I have chosen is to study how the college experience can be optimized in the

post COVID-19 world of online learning. With the global pandemic, most colleges have

switched to an online mode of learning. This means that many students now attend classes

from their bedrooms. I want to look at this from the collegiate level as I am a recent graduate

who completed her undergraduate course through online mediums. The college experience is

not merely an educational/learning one, the socialization functions also assumes importance.

Something I have noticed, for example, is that a lot of talk about what people miss about their

college is the ancillary programs, or even just the ability to speak to their friends between

classes. By choosing to look at this challenge, I want to gain insight into all the different

kinds of issues that come up with the switch to online learning.

Selection

The design thinking tool I have selected to implement is the mind mapping tool. I have

chosen the tool as I am still in the „what is‟ stage of the challenge. I am still identifying the

problems, and trying to establish patterns and linkages among them. According to the „Mind

Mapping Tool‟ video with Amira Moore- “Mind Mapping is looking for patterns and

insights in a large quantity of data you collected during your exploration of what is the

current reality. The goal is to establish criteria for the „what if‟ idea generation phase.” I will

be creating a personal mind map, of my own thoughts and reflections on the subject, as I am

attempting this challenge for personal insight.

Application

I started by taking the base of the challenge which is a college. From there I looked at the

functions which I separated into educational and social. The social again separated into

events such as parties and functions (graduation, orientation), networking events, and

extracurricular activities like gigs or other allied activities; interactions with people, making

friends, meeting faculty, etc.; and exploring new surroundings. The education aspect

separated into classes, resources and assignments. Each of these have several aspects under

them. At each point I tried to make note of whatever came to mind with regards to the

particular topic. These are illustrated in the diagram. I also tried to demarcate areas that I

thought were connected with each other, such as assignments and resources, and the social

function of people with both classes and assignments in terms of interactions.

Insight

Three ideas struck out to me as insights. One, the idea that people, and interaction between

them are crucial to education. It‟s the ability to have discussion inside and outside classroom

spaces, as well as interacting with faculty members that contribute to a holistic education.

Interaction between people is also necessary for assignments, especially those that involve

group work which is essential to learn how to work with people. Two, the idea of access to

resources as necessary, not just in terms of readings or video lectures, but also infrastructure,

other technical equipment, and even an internet connection. A person from a lower socio-

economic stratum may not have access to these, which makes it difficult to obtain an

education. It will affect both classes, and assignments. Three, is the independence that one

gains. College is supposed to be a space of exploration, not just of physical surrounding, but

also inner mental spaces of a person, to examine interests and aptitudes. This becomes

difficult when confined to an online medium.

The insight that I obtained was in line with what I assumed happened. But I also have

realized that the problem is much wider than I had anticipated. Several factors which I have

not factored into the min map are important, but I do not have the experience in these areas to

note the exact issues faced. This is terms of faculty and administration.

Approach

The application of the mind mapping tool to this problem is limited in its scope. It only

scratches the surface of the underlying issues. It is also the product of only one person‟s

thought processes. If this was to be implemented again, it should be with a group of people,

from different backgrounds, who can be a representative sample of the populations. The

experiences and suggestions of a group will give a more holistic outlook. There are also

several other avenues to consider such as faculty access to resources, and what the college

space provides for them.

