Mind Mapping in Math

As you know a mind map is a visual representation of information going from the big topic to smaller topics.  Its a visual structuring of ideas, easily read.

Since its a type of graphical organizer,  it can help clarify material for students. Mind maps can be in the traditional form or in more of a sketch note form. 

If you choose to have them create a mind map by hand, you need to provide students a large blank paper placed landscape.  To begin, they need to place the topic in the center inside a box.  Then write the main ideas or aspects around the topic and link them by lines.  Then expand these branches into sub branches much like you see on a tree.  Be sure to have them use color, numbers, and arrows to show relationships and make things stand out.

If you are not sure what a mind map for math should look like, check out this presentation because it has so many different styles and mathematical topics so you can share them with your students to help them learn to create their own.

The other way is to send students to either an online site or an app to create a more linear mind map.  The process is the same only its done using items reminiscent of flow charts from the early days of computer programming.  Again the presentation has at least one done using technology so your students know what that looks like.

In addition, mind mapping can be used by students to help organize their brainstorming when they need to solve a problem or a performance task.  The way to do this is to place the problem in the center but don't make the problem too narrow. Next is to use the IDEAL strategy to solve it.
IDEAL stands for:
I - identify the problem
D - define and represent the problem
E - explore possible strategies or solutions
A - act on selected strategy or solution
L - look back and evaluate.

No matter whether you have the students use mind maps as a way of putting the material in perspective or for solving problems, it is important we teach them how to do it because a student who knows how to use one in English may have difficulty applying the same technique to math.   We should not assume they can look at an example and figure it out themselves.  We must provide guided instruction to help them learn.

Let me know what you think.  I'd love to hear.




 second have them create one using either an online site or an app on the iPad.