Mindmapping

Mindmaps, or spider diagrams, are a visual way of organising information with an idea in the centre and arms or branches connecting out to keywords. They can be a powerful way of taking notes, generating ideas, and revising, as they use images and association, as opposed to a linear structure.

Scroll down for our recommended strategies and resources.

Visual images

Mindmaps use colour and images to help make them memorable. Watch this short video on how to mindmap.

7 steps to mind maps [video] (Quintin Kynaston)

Examples

Each mindmap looks distinctly different, unlike pages of very similar notes. Have a look at this gallery for some ideas of how unique each mindmap can be.

Mindmap gallery (Ayoa)

Software

Creating mindmaps online means you can change them more easily and don’t run out of space! Brookes has Inspiration on all the networked PCs on campus which you can access through Apps Anywhere. But you could also use free programs like Coggle which you can access on your own laptop or devices.

How to introduce Inspiration 9 [video] (Inspiration Software)

Coggle Brainstorming: How to use Coggle.it mindmaps [video] (They Call Me Hoz)

Experiment

Mindmaps don’t suit everyone, but experiment with different styles. This handout shows how you could use a pyramid structure if you like more organised hierarchies. It also shows how to turn a mindmap into a linear plan for writing an assignment.

Mindmap into plan (University of Hull)