Visual Thinking:
Put Brainstorming on Steroids with Mind Mapping
Michael Kieley
March 23, 2011
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Visual Thinking:
Put Brainstorming on Steroids with Mind Mapping
Michael Kieley
Using Mind Maps for
Learning Innovation
 This presentation focuses on learning a graphic
technique which allows one to gain an overview of a
complex subject, and is also a method for rapid
brainstorming.
 Part 1 - a case study
 Part 2 - defining creativity
 Part 3 - a workshop in which mind maps
are used as creative tools in the
development of new learning
experiences.
Part One - case study:
evolution of a class to a hybrid form
My Story...
 I’ve taught a class for years called Visual
Thinking, which is focused on learning
creativity skills, and understanding what
is going on in Contemporary Art.
My Story...
 I go to a conference about
online education (OTC10),
which gets me very excited
about adding cloud
technologies to my face-toface class.
Visual
Thinking
My Story...
 I am surprised at how many options I
have, and most of them are free.
http://www.blackboard.com/
http://sakaiproject.org/
http://www.techsmith.com/Camtasia
http://www.surveymonkey.com/
http://www.cccconfer.org/index3.aspx
http://twitter.com/
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
http://www.vocaroo.com/
http://www.edustream.org/
http://voicethread.com/
http://www.jingproject.com/
http://oli.web.cmu.edu/openlearning/
http://www.onefortraining.org/
http://prezi.com/
http://www.profcast.com/public/index.php
My Story...
 It looks like it will take me
about 40 hours to sort
through these options, and
shift my class to a hybrid
format.
Visual
Thinking
My Story...
 It takes
200
Visual
hours...
Thinking
My Story...
 I have to rethink everything, and
sort between what is best done
face-to-face, and what is better
on line.
 The first thing to go are
lectures, which I turn into
podcasts and PDF’s.
Visual
Thinking
My Story...
 I have a moment of euphoria, the
first time I listen to my students
VoiceThreads.
I needed to see/think about many
things simultaneously.
I needed to make some choices.
I need to be a brilliant innovator...
My Story...
 I realize that something I’ve
taught my students for years,

mind mapping
Visual
 will be the perfect way to:
 • organize and select the best online
technologies for my class.
 • be an excellent way to brainstorm new
project ideas.
Thinking
Part Two - defining creativity, mind
maps, and the process of
brainstorming.
What is creativity?
 A mode of thinking that is playful, childlike, joyful, and
GENERaTIVE.
 It’s the opposite of being analytical, and rational.
 It requires an environment of support and affirmation.
 Lateral/generative thinking can not overlap with the
Vertical/rational mode.
What is brainstorming?
A generative flow state, in which the
goal is to uncritically jot down as many
possible solutions to a problem as
possible.
Quantity of ideas matters much more
than the initial quality of ideas.
Richness over Rightness
Thinking in Pictures
What is a mind map?
 A mind map is a diagram used to
organize words, ideas, and images,
in a holistic, hierarchical form, in
order to gain fresh perspectives.
Establish a quota to accelerate
ideation...
 List
 Grid
 Map
it’s not so much that I am smarter, it’s that I always begin
immediately, and I have a huge trash can. -F.L.Wright
Filling in a blank grid...
Maps vs Lists
Rather than just making
a list of numerous ideas
during brainstorming, a
mind map mixes words
and images,
TURNING ON
CREATIVE THINKING,
in a loose and flexible
process, that also
allows one to glimpse
the whole picture.
Work flows...
TO >
hand drawn
MindNode
Work flows...
Mobile App
MindNode Pro on Mac
What are they good for?
 Mind maps are used to generate, visualize,
structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid
in study, organization, problem solving, and
decision making.
Part Three - learning to mind map
Have you every mind mapped?
Let’s draw a mind map!
5 steps...
1. Draw an oval with a key term.
2. Add curving limbs, radiating out from the
central concept.
3.In block letters write a single word flowing
along each limb.
4.Bifurcate: add smaller branches to each
limb.
5.Use lots of color.
Make a simple mind map...
 On a piece of paper, draw an oval in the center.
 Write the word “HAPPINESS,” in the oval.
 Draw arcing branches outward from the oval, and along
each branch write a general broad category of
something that makes you happy. (Travel, exercise,
learning, etc.)
And branches...
 And some branches to one of the main
limbs of your map.
What can you do with mind maps?
 Gain an overview of a complex subject.
 Map-storm: use this visual tool to
accelerate creative thinking.
Collaborate on the
concept of innovation.
Brainstorm efficiently.
Discover patterns and relationships
between ideas.
Map a learning experience.
Plan a presentation.
Create a visual, hierarchical, holistic
document with links to provide more
detail on demand.
FORCING Expansive Thinking
 Adding
blank nodes
to a mind
map
establishes
a quota of
ideas for
each branch
of a subject.
Trees grow by a process of
bifurcation. So do ideas.
 Blank nodes
on a mind
map
establish a
quota for
new ideas.
How ideas flow...
Hybrid thinking...
Ideate; then critique.
• AVOID
DESTRUCTIVE
PRUNING WHICH
HAPPEN WHEN
WE MIX
IDEATION/BRAINS
TORMING WITH
ANALYSIS AND
CRITICISM
Remaining open...
Remain open to
chance intrusions,
happy accidents,
serendipity.
The (brainstorming) wisdom of
crowds.
 Diverse groups create broadened
perspectives.
 A safe environment, in which it’s O.K. to
be a bit silly enhances the process.
It helps to...
Negative Thinking
+
Switch Off Analysis
Mind map ‘apps’
 Mac
 PC
 Mobile Devices
Resources + Links
Apps
Mindnode.com (free, pro, and iOS versions)
iMindMap (Tony Buzan, inc.)
Freemind (open, complex, a bit slow)
ThinkingSpace (Android)
Books
The MindMap Book
MindNode on iDevices
Demo
Mind map methods - pros + cons
Mobile Device
•Use anywhere
•Simple
•Easy export to computer
Computer
•More complex explorations
•Easily add images
•Create Hyperlinked maps
Hand Drawn
•Free and loose
•All you need is a pencil
•Sketch, or collage images
Q&A
 Michael Kieley
 mkieley@lmu.edu
 707 mki-eley (654-3539)
 www.learnvisualthinking.com
 http://edtechexplore.wordpress.com
Evaluation Survey Link
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Visual Thinking:
Put Brainstorming on Steroids with MindMaping
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