Mind Mapping as a tool for better learning

Challenge

At University I took a course entitled "International Accounting". Soon, I found myself in a jumble of  books, essays, analyzes and other accounting materials. On the one hand, I was overwhelmed, even  more surprised by the sheer volume of fact, figures and information. On the other hand, it seemed  impossible to draw connections between the individual components of the subject. Worst of all: I did  not know where to start.

By chance, I then had insight into the personal documents of a fellow student. And there I saw it for  the first time: A cheery combination of boxes that took a whole A3 sheet. Later, I would find that it  was the first mind map of my life. I understood it as something which connects at first glance the  different branches of the subject. Full of question marks in my head, I went straight to the author of  this particular Mind Map, a fellow student of mine. I wanted to know why he made this structure out  of branches, boxes and lines. The reasons he gave me were the same issues I was struggling with to  penetrate the subject: He, too, was struggling with the tricky contexts and became aware of the use  of a Mind Map as a tool in the search for a better solution and a better understanding.

Selection

Since that day, I use Mind Maps whenever contents of complex subjects block my view on the  essentials. What I would like to do in the following is to describe how I experienced the development  and creation of my first Mind Map. First of all, let me briefly address the question that I asked myself  back then: what is a Mind Map? While researching I found some interesting facts about us humans.  The human brain has left and right halves. Recent research shows that both halves of the brain each  perceive different functions. For most of us, the left brain is responsible for rational thinking, logic,  language, numbers, linearity, and analysis, while the right half controls predominantly space  perception, imagination, color, rhythm, shape, pattern recognition, and dimensionality. Based on this  insight, the Englishman Tony Buzan marketed the mind-map technique, through which both halves of  the brain should be addressed. By using both brain regions synergy effects are used, which  significantly improve the mental performance. In order to do justice to this brain function, it is  recommended that information be presented non-linearly in lists or text, but in a manner that makes  the recordings unique, in the truest sense Meaning of the word makes strange picture. It deliberately  dispenses with superfluous filler words and instead uses well-chosen key words that suffice for a  later memory of the content and at the same time lead to an inner examination of the topic to be  recorded.

Application

For my first Mind Map, I focused on the structure of the University module. I've decided to put my  thoughts on an A4-format, but it's just as possible to do it on a larger or smaller sheet, or even a  black- or whiteboard. The paper I then used in landscape format. In the middle of the page you can  put the most memorable image, which represents the main theme to be treated. In my case it was as  clear and simple as “International Accounting”. But since a picture says more than 1,000 words I later  changed this words on my Mind Map into some self-painted, vivid pictures. Starting from the central  image of mine I drew a line for each deeper thought or sub-point. Deeper thoughts in my case were  buzzwords as cash flow statement, property, deferred taxes, financial instruments, leasing,  provisions, business combinations, intangible assets and goodwill, revenue recognition and so on. On  these lines, the individual keywords are written to the subitems. I figured, these words should be in

block letters to increase the readability and memorization of the Mind Map. Works for me! The lines  drawn in turn can lead to lines on which the main ideas are further subdivided. Others can go out of  these secondary lines, etc. Additionally I use different colors to increase clarity. At the same time, for  example, related thoughts and ideas can be easily clarified by using the same color.

Insight & Approach

Well, by applying a Mind Map to this complicated, extensive subject, I was able to penetrate the  material within a very short time and, more importantly, remember it. I also understood that the  Mind Map principle can be applied as a tool for teamwork by creating a map together. With our  common Mind Map, my friend and I were able to control each other. The Mind Map gave us the  certainty to find what we have learned in our inner eye at all times.

This design thinking course here, gave me a new understanding of the broad field of application of  the Mind Mapping tool. By applying it more often in daily life situations, especially in team meetings,  I feel like results can be produced much faster. It almost feels as if the heavy traffic on a busy  highway after the construction-related traffic jam can finally flow freely again. I suggest you do not  worry too much when creating a Mind Map. Instead, you should just try to let your thoughts fly free  and trust in the creativity in you.

