Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PhotoReading, Memory Optimizer MIND MAPPING

I have this question:

When do you create mind maps? During your reading or after reading?

Here are two views I have found:

"Mind maps should be prepared after the student has fully understood the article. Beware of the student who reads and draws the mind map at the same time. The structure of the mind map just follows the sentences and paragraphs of the article and the student inevitably ends up using the article to make the presentation rather than the map.
" http://langue.hyper.chubu.ac.jp/jalt/pub/tlt/00/mar/sh_cribb.html

and

"Instead of simply reading a book on some topic, next time try using a mind map while you read. Just draw your central word and then begin reading, everytime you read some idea that strikes you as important or interesting, just add it onto your mind map in the appropriate place."
http://qsilver.queensu.ca/~phil158a/memory/mindmap.htm

I think they're both right...

I would aim to be able to assemble a good mind map afterwards because it tests longer-term comprehension than just writing one out as you go along. Understand the material is important, but remembering what you understand is vital!

Just my two cents.
I'm only just learning to PhotoRead, so consider me no expert :-)

Good question Ivan.

I do mind maps quite statically, as in just copying the headings and subheadings and put them in mind map form.

I'm sure this is ok, but I'm going to start mind mapping in a more liberal fashion to see what affect it has.

I am activating a Psychology Textbook. I usually created mind maps during the reading. That decreased my speed dramatically. I can spend up to 4 hours per chapter. (about 40 pages a lot of definitions).

I will do this new way:

1) Set a specific time (best 30 minutes I believe).

2)Set a specific number of pages or a point until which you want to get.

3)Activate the information.

4)Spend 5-10 minutes at the end of the "30 minutes block" mind mapping.

Some people find it easier to mind map while activating and other after. I think the ones that the one who like to do it during activating or reading are probably more auditory than visual and trying to remember what they collected after 30 minutes of reading and then creating a mind map is more challenging than for those who are visual since the visual memory sets off more cues.

If you amongst those people who feels like they forget before the end of 30 minutes you might like to try this.

Set a timer for 7 to 11 minutes pose one or 2 mind probing questions and start your mind map with a key word from you question/s use the activation technique that works best for you, on textbooks I personally notice I skitter more. Now for some flexibility... if you find the answer to you questions during your activation, add them to your mind map, pose the next question, write a key word and continue activating. Now the reason for my suggestion of a 7 top 11 minute time. If you think you haven't found the answer at the end of that 7 to 11 minutes take five minutes or less to reflex, ask the question in a different way, note on the mind map any thoughts or ideas that come to you about the subject. If you wind up with more questions, note them on the mind map.

If you want to keep some order in your subject. Eg you're activating chapter 10 from the Photoreading Book Enrich your Photoreading Experience. Your central image could be the chapter heading or better yet. "Enrich photoreading experience - How & Why" usually there is some information about that immediately beneath the chapter heading. Then look at the subheads (same thing again the information is immediately under it) Eye mind connection is going to be one of the branches the sub branches could be the who, what, when, were, why and hows, You'll select which ones are important to you. For that subhead it might be, 'what is', 'How to' When...

Try it question and answer style. When you look at good mind maps you'll notice there was an underlying question. The branches start answering the questions.

Be flexible. Try it different ways and see what works for you. Whatever works for you is the right way for you.

Alex

I recently created my first multi-colored mind maps, of the definitions for various crimes - substantive law. What I do is this -

In class I have the book on my left, 5 X 7 notebook on my right, teacher and board are off to my right. (He's the DA from a nearby city). Then I take notes of what he says on only one side of each page, for me the right, while also making note of where he is in the book. I put them in outline form. I make a note of some of the book page numbers in my notes.

Then later I used my notes to make the first part of my map; the crime name in the middle, then 1st,2nd,3rd 4th degrees around it - 1+3 on the left because they relate to each other - 2+4 on the right. I then wagon wheel around it the components of each level from my notes. Then in another color I go to the book and skim through the "grey boxes" and add any more tidbits to the definitions that I have, in another color. When he went over in class this week the areas we are to know, I put colored arrows in my linear outline notes only, and then extra info on the back of the previous page with arrows pointing to which item in my notes on the right hand side it goes with. I'll pop these into my maps over the weekend, in yet another color. Talk about layering!!

forgot to mention that I photoread these chapters at least a month ago. Haven't "read" them per se, and up until this week I was also listening to the 2 PL tapes, Genius in the AM and Memory at night. My memory has noticably improved, in many areas.

Of course, the real proof (my first time studying exactly this way) will come next Tuesday night when we have our first test. I am actually looking forward to it!

*A* fellow traveler