Learning Map

Purpose:
1. Save time
2. Get more things done
3. Save space
4. Find what we are looking for easily


Advantage (Comparing with traditional notes):
1. More structured and logically built up
2. More fun and well organized
3. Can make use of our creative thinking and imagination


Procedure:
1. Write or draw the central word/idea in the middle of a blank piece of paper
2. Start making free associations to that central point. Let branches and twigs grow out of the centre and write one word on each line
3. When getting too many words around the central word, or if associations suddenly come to an end, just open new ‘forks’ after one of the existing words.
**Remember to create as more abundant/diversified as possible.
4. After 5-10minutes, looking at all the words and pick out a few that would like to try on another map. Either put them in the middle of a new map or just go on writing new associations where the word is in the first map.
**Going more and more into detail in the associations.
**Write down every word that pops into mind.
5. Let the map rest for a while. The thinking process and the flow of associations will go on in our brains even if we stop writing and when we come back to the map we will have a lot of new words to add.
6. Let the map stay unstructured until you feel it is maturity.


Rules:
1. Start in the middle of the paper.
It is easier to spread out the lines that way and to read what you have written.
2. One word on each line.
If you need more words, draw new lines. Try to limit the number of words you write. You need only a few words if you choose the right words (keywords).
3. Use different colours.
Use colours to highlight, to decorate, to differentiate one group of words from another and in illustrations.
4. Draw pictures.
Pictures contain a lot more information than words. Try to find pictures that can gather information from a whole group of words.
5. Use symbols, signs and arrows.
Use symbols, signs and arrows to show connections in your learning map or if you want to refer to other reference material you don’t want to have in the learning map. E.g. **, --> , #, +
6. Use your imagination.
Nothing is really forbidden in your own learning map. A learning map is a personal note-taking technique and whatever increases your use of it is permitted.
7. Rewrite the learning map.
Every time you rewrite the learning map you revise the material and you get rid of words you already know, words that are superfluous in one way or another.

Exercise:
“Time Management”
Go back in your thoughts to this important event in your life.

Suggested solution: