Competition Ideas: Mind Mapping

My group and I have decided to do something with mind mapping for our innovative instruction competition. We decided that mind mapping can be useful in several stages of the writing process.

First, it would be useful in helping the class as a whole brainstorm ideas for writing about a certain topic. I know that when I write, it helps me to listen to others' ideas before I get started. Those ideas will usually tip something off in my own mind and just get me started in the right direction. For this part of the assignment, we could use a class mind map that everyone can post on.

Second, a mind mapping exercise would be helpful in gathering more details and more ideas for individuals. We decided that for this part of the activity, students will create their own mind maps and gather pictures that somehow illustrate the different points in their map. The pictures will give students a different perspective on what they are writing and will help them see the issue from different angles.

My group members and I did a similar assignment (but on paper) for another class, and we found that it was helpful. We were first required to write for a certain amount of time in answer to a prompt. We then had to cut out pictures from a magazine and make a collage representing what we had written. After doing the collage, we had to write about what the collage meant. I was skeptical and thought my second paper would be nearly identical to my first. However, the collage activity really did help. I was able to write in a lot more detail about the topic, and my second essay turned out to be much better than my first.

My group and I also thought of a third way of using the mind map. After students have written their essays, they can use a mind map to do a reverse outline of their essay. A reverse outline may seem pointless, but it too is very helpful. Often, students will think their essays are organized and flow well--but that is usually because they have all the information in their heads. They do not realize that the way they put it all on paper does not make sense. A reverse outline will show students if their essays really follow the organization they think it does. This strategy has helped me several times. I think my essay is good, but when I go back, I realize that it is not organized and is confusing to read.

I don't know how narrow our lesson plan has to be, but I would like to show how mind mapping can be used from three different angles.