Classroom Ict
Tony Buzan’s Mind Mapping approach is a great way to begin a unit of work. It allows the teacher to see what the students already know about a topic (formative assessment). Furthermore it allows students visually see the connections of all the elements of a topic and visual stimulation can improve thinking and memory. Furthermore mind mapping facilitates inquiry based learning. There are a lot of free and paid apps or softwares for creating mind maps on computers and iPads but some can be hard to use and must do not completely follow the rules of Tony Buzan’s mind mapping approach. For example some of these apps and software do not allow you to change the colour of the lines or add pictures. We recommend that you use Tony Buzan’s app called ‘iMindMap 6’ as all these functions are available. If you do not like using computers or iPads in the classroom simply use a blank white piece of paper and coloured pens.
Whether you choose to use a the iMandMap 6, other software, or a blank piece of paper to start a new unit it is important to put the focus topic in the middle of the page with a picture with it. My example is measurement, a unit that I plan do with my class. Ask the what they know about measurement and start drawing the different sub-topic branches of your ‘Buzan’s Mind Map’. Make sure you use different coloured branches for each sub-topic and that they are curved. This curved branches are a reflection of the way the brain thinks. As the class is in having a discussion one child may say length, another may say mass and another time or volume . Each of these main sub-topic branches must be different colours and include a picture (a ruler, weights, clock and a measuring cup) to visual stimulate and makes visual associations in the child's minds. If you have multiple devices in the classroom use them and get the children to find pictures that will be included in the mind map. When expanding the sub-topic branches make sure you use the same colour to continue the visual connections in the brain. Based on the mind map that the class has created it allows the teacher to see what the children already know and what they need to learn. This allows the teacher to plan the unit around the childrens' learning needs.
Once the class has brainstormed everything they know about the topic, photocopy (in colour) the ‘Buzan Mind Map’ that the class had created and the children can pasted it in their books and use it as the title page for the unit. At the beginning of each lesson recap on the mind map and add any new ideas that children have learnt. The children can also do this to their own ‘Buzan Mind Map’ that you photocopied at the beginning of the unit. This allows the children to see the knowledge grow and will help improve their memory.
Whether you choose to use a the iMandMap 6, other software, or a blank piece of paper to start a new unit it is important to put the focus topic in the middle of the page with a picture with it. My example is measurement, a unit that I plan do with my class. Ask the what they know about measurement and start drawing the different sub-topic branches of your ‘Buzan’s Mind Map’. Make sure you use different coloured branches for each sub-topic and that they are curved. This curved branches are a reflection of the way the brain thinks. As the class is in having a discussion one child may say length, another may say mass and another time or volume . Each of these main sub-topic branches must be different colours and include a picture (a ruler, weights, clock and a measuring cup) to visual stimulate and makes visual associations in the child's minds. If you have multiple devices in the classroom use them and get the children to find pictures that will be included in the mind map. When expanding the sub-topic branches make sure you use the same colour to continue the visual connections in the brain. Based on the mind map that the class has created it allows the teacher to see what the children already know and what they need to learn. This allows the teacher to plan the unit around the childrens' learning needs.
Once the class has brainstormed everything they know about the topic, photocopy (in colour) the ‘Buzan Mind Map’ that the class had created and the children can pasted it in their books and use it as the title page for the unit. At the beginning of each lesson recap on the mind map and add any new ideas that children have learnt. The children can also do this to their own ‘Buzan Mind Map’ that you photocopied at the beginning of the unit. This allows the children to see the knowledge grow and will help improve their memory.
Curriculum Areas
Buzan's mind mapping can be useful to many different curriculum areas, and is especially useful for brainstorming before a unit. For example for English and writing, we would recommend using a mind map to brainstorm and record with the class some of the key points, and ideas that will be included in the writing.
Technology is another potential home for a Buzan mind map, because it has unlimited potential in the planning, and design stages. It also provides a record for reference to when we are reviewing our outcomes, and see if we have satisfied the many different specifications, and stakeholders that me must meet.
There are many different examples of a Buzan mind map being integrated into the classroom curriculum, and anything that involves a planning stage can incorporate a mind map, you only need to show a little initiative and imagination.
Technology is another potential home for a Buzan mind map, because it has unlimited potential in the planning, and design stages. It also provides a record for reference to when we are reviewing our outcomes, and see if we have satisfied the many different specifications, and stakeholders that me must meet.
There are many different examples of a Buzan mind map being integrated into the classroom curriculum, and anything that involves a planning stage can incorporate a mind map, you only need to show a little initiative and imagination.