USE A MINDMAP to organize, display, and gather ideas quickly. With a mindmap, you can effectively ellicit ideas and get feedback on even the most difficult concepts.

Mindmaps can be used in a variety of ways and the concept is similar to brainstorming -- gathering many ideas quickly. When brainstorming, participants list everything that relates to the given topic, in any order. In mindmapping ideas are organized visually.

When mindmapping, participants write and circle the central idea, extend concepts from it, and label each related concept. See the example below for the typical configuration of a mindmap. A standard configuration contains a large circle, which exemplifies the topic of discussion. Surrounding the central topic are multiple smaller circles. 

In this example, participants were asked to mindmap the concept of technology. They were asked what technology means to them. Participants came up with the following concepts associated with technology: web sites, chat rooms, email, internet, learning, and video.

The smaller circles contain ideas that relate, in some way, to the central circle. This configuration allows for inferences to be drawn on a single subject.

Mindmaps have many uses. They can be used to gather or organize thoughts when discussing the following concepts:

• Goals
• Defining concepts
• Subordinate categories
• Freewriting/associations
• Starting a process
• Establishing prior knowledge
• Testing
• Note taking
  

Conducting a mindmapping session can be a challenge. Take time to organize the activity and plan ahead by following a few simple steps: 

Elaine White, Graduate Student ，SDSU Educational Technology
White, E. (2004). Mindmap your way to success! In B. Hoffman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Educational Technology.