This post from Joss Winn  on using mind maps got me thinking about whether we should start using them in the LSJ?

What is…
A mind map is a diagram where ideas, tasks, resources, etc. are arranged round and connected to a central key word. Because the map is non-linear, it’s more flexible, and easier to restructure and scale than any kind of hierarchical scheme. This makes them ideal for note-taking, project-planing, brainstorming, etc. (More better info…)

Do they work?
I think so. They mimic the brain much more closely than standard note-taking methods, and there is the obvious point that they start in the middle, rather than in the top left. There’s research showing that they shouldn’t be imposed on people who have note-taking techniques they find effective, which is obvious, I suppose.

Online
Mind maps work really well online. Try Mindmeister, which allows subscribers to share and work on mind maps together. It’s free, but even the paid versions don’t cost much. There’s an academic version for $15 per annum.

On the desktop
I use FreeMind. It’s simple, it’s free, and it integrates with Mindmeister. You can also share FreeMind maps as PDFs, web pages, graphics, etc.

On the page
Of course, you can also do mind maps with pencil and paper, or with marker pens and flipcharts. It’s an effective note-taking technique and a useful tool for planning meetings.

Next?
I’d suggest we think about incorporating mind-mapping into our level one journalism skills unit? I haven’t seen the handbook for this module, so I’m not sure where mind maps would fit in. But the idea seems to fit with the broad aims of the module. If we go ahead, we could get Freemind installed on the newsroom machines.
Thoughts?