mind mapping for critical thinking

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Mind mapping for critical thinking.

Roxanne M. O'Connell , Roger Williams University

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Publication title.

Cases on Teaching Critical Thinking through Visual Representation Strategies

Publication Date

Mind mapping is a visual technique that exploits the way we actually think-through synaptic connections and non-linear associations. Because mind mapping gives practitioners, be they professional or student, access to subconscious observations and connections, it is a powerful thinking tool, useful in a variety of situations in business and in education. This chapter focuses on how mind mapping fosters the kind of flexible and organic thinking vital to critical thinking and the creative problem-solving process. It explains what is at work in the brain as we create new knowledge and how mind mapping exploits these processes to gain intuitive and concrete understanding in situations requiring critical thinking. A step-by-step outline of how to mind map in both individual and group settings is followed by examples of mind maps from both business and education.

10.4018/978-1-4666-5816-5.ch014

Recommended Citation

O'Connell, R. (2014). Mind mapping for critical thinking. Cases on Teaching Critical Thinking through Visual Representation Strategies , 354-386. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-5816-5.ch014

9781466658172,1466658169,9781466658165

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What is a mind map? Tips, examples, and templates

Producing new ideas can be a challenge. If you place a blank page in front of your team members, give them a prompt, and ask them to produce something awesome, there will likely be a lot of frustration. It’s intimidating to jump straight into a fully formed, innovative concept. 

Mind maps can help ease that intimidation factor and get you and your team unstuck. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas to solve a specific problem, trying to put together big-picture plans, or just want to get those creative juices flowing, mind mapping is a great place to start.

What is a mind map?

A mind map is a brainstorming technique used to visually organize information into a hierarchy. They feature one main idea as the central point of the diagram, with subtopics branching out and connecting to supporting ideas. First popularized by Tony Buzan, an author and educational consultant, mind maps are a visual way to generate new ideas and solve complex problems. Individuals or teams start by naming a problem or central topic and then adding relevant subtopics.

Mind map diagrams follow a hierarchical structure where the most important ideas are the closest to the center, and each additional tier rolls up to the one before it. This structure helps you see a broad overview of the concept, understand its complexities and connections, and make decisions effectively.

What makes mind maps so powerful is not just the diagrams themselves, but also the process that goes into creating them. The inside-out structure makes it easy to get all your thoughts and ideas down in one place and draw connections between them. They encourage lateral thinking, pushing you to explore and investigate a topic from every angle.

Mind maps vs concept maps

You may hear people conflate mind maps with concept maps, and it’s easy to understand why. Both are diagrams that use nodes and links to visualize how ideas are connected. The key difference is that mind maps are hierarchical, while concept maps are not. 

While a mind map has one central theme, a concept map illustrates how a variety of different topics or ideas are connected, with no tiers or levels.

When to use a mind map 

Mind maps are best suited for creative thinking and brainstorming that happens in real time. However, there are other ways that mind maps can be useful throughout your workday. These include:  

• Brainstorming and ideation : Mind maps help you quickly create associations and map out related ideas in a way that can spark new, creative ideas. 
• Note-taking during meetings : A mind map helps you quickly add and organize thoughts in a visual way that is easy to refer back to and build upon. 
• Project management and planning : When you have a big project, you can break down complex tasks into smaller components to better visualize the steps needed to achieve your objectives.
• Decision-making : Mind maps can help you weigh the pros and cons of a decision or lay out all of the possible options and then narrow down to your ultimate decision.  
• Presentations and educational materials : A mind map can be a visual aid during presentations or when teaching people something new. It helps make complex information more accessible to the audience.

However you use mind maps, you’ll find that they allow you to discover hidden complexities and connections to facilitate better brainstorming, exploration, decision-making, and project planning.

Benefits of mind mapping 

The obvious benefit of mind mapping is that it’s an effective brainstorming technique. It helps you generate new ideas or solve complex problems and makes your job easier when you’re stuck on a challenge. But there are a few additional benefits of mind mapping that can positively impact your whole team and work performance.

• It reduces the pressure or stress that can occur when problem-solving or trying to develop creative ideas.  
• It increases memory retention and recall due to the visual and spatial arrangement of the mind map. 
• It gives you a holistic view of your project or thought process. 
• It reduces information overload and keeps things organized. 
• It enhances communication and clarity as visual representations are more engaging, flexible, and direct. 
• It helps you think more critically and analytically .

How to create a mind map: A step-by-step guide

Before you get started building out your mind map, you’ll need to choose a mind mapping tool. If you’re working with a team, use a digital whiteboard or mind mapping software so your team can contribute and access the mind map after the working session . The important thing is to not to let the blank space scare you; your mind map will naturally grow once you get going.

1. Identify the primary topic

In the middle of your workspace, add the main topic for this exercise. It could be a single word or a short phrase like “improving team morale,” or it could be a central idea like “work culture.” You could even use a central image or graphic to inspire ideas. 

For example, say your team is working on a new product. You could include an image from a competitor whose work you admire and want to build on or outperform. You could also add a few short phrases or words to describe the goal.

2. Branch out into subtopics

Next, identify subtopics and smaller themes related to your central concept — we recommend starting with three to five. These will be the starting branches for your mind map. Then, you can continue branching out and adding additional layers of related ideas. Ultimately, there aren’t any limits to the number of levels you can include in your mind map.

Remember, these ideas don’t have to be fully formed or polished, just associations that you’ll later build off of or develop further.

3. Connect related topics

Next, draw lines or use colors to connect related ideas. This visual representation allows you to see patterns and connections that might have been less apparent in a traditional linear outline or list. Examine your ideas and identify categories or themes that pop up. Add sticky notes, images, or text, or use different colors to illustrate these common themes. 

Taking our team building example, your team may notice that there are many ideas having to do with getting out of the office and participating in activities in nature. To produce a coherent theme, you might then highlight these as part of an overall theme called “nature retreats.”

4. Select the top themes and categories

Determine which themes are the most relevant and beneficial to your main objective. Then reorganize your mind map to reflect these categorical choices and steer your ideas in a specific direction.

5. Delve deeper into niched-down ideas 

Next, expand and refine each idea with more research and detail. Add important context and resources to make the mind map more informative for your team and external stakeholders. Each idea or piece of information you add ensures that no critical details are overlooked.

Mind mapping tips and techniques

The process of creating a mind map is simple enough, but it takes some practice to get the most out of it. Use these tips and techniques to improve the mind mapping process and make it easier to draw conclusions from your diagram.

Mind map design

Because mind maps are such a visual medium, it’s helpful to focus on how you design them. You by no means need to be a professional designer to make good-looking, easy-to-use mind maps — you just need to keep these tips in mind. ‍

Colors and shades ‍

Use a different color for each branch off your main point to make it easy to see different sections at a glance. You can also use lighter shades of that same color for subsequent levels as you continue to build out the branches of your mind map. ‍

Lines and arrows

Consider using different line widths to indicate how strong the connection is between certain elements. You can also use different colors, dashed or dotted lines, and other visual cues to indicate the relationship between ideas. If you’re sharing your mind map with others, make sure you include a key so they can understand how to read it. ‍

Images and icons

Don’t be afraid to play around with photos, drawings, icons, emojis, and other visuals. They can help you communicate abstract ideas, orient the viewer, and provide inspiration as you go through the mind mapping process.

Collaborative mind mapping

When it comes to mind mapping as a team, the whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. Collaborating in real-time makes it easy to get into a flow of free associations and building upon each other’s ideas — something that’s tough to do asynchronously. Here are some quick mind mapping guidelines for more impactful collaboration.

• Start with a warmup to get everyone in a creative mindset
• Timebox the activity to add some positive pressure
• Keep an open mind and a non-judgmental attitude
• When brainstorming, think quantity over quality
• Set aside time to build on each other’s ideas
• End the session with clear takeaways and next steps ‍

Mind map examples and templates to get you started

Rather than starting from scratch, use one of these templates to jumpstart your mind mapping process.

Basic mind mapping

Organize your ideas into a structured diagram to see an overview of the concept, understand its complexities and connections, and make decisions effectively. This basic mind mapping template gives you space to brainstorm, collaborate, and visually structure your ideas. It includes handy tips as well as different examples of mind maps, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.

‍ Get started with the mind map template ‍

Basic mind map example

Mind map brainstorming

Use this mind map template to brainstorm big ideas, identify new patterns, or quickly organize your thoughts. ‍

Get started with the mind mapping brainstorm template

Mind map brainstorming example

A sitemap is a specialized type of mind map that serves a critical purpose in every website build or redesign project. It helps to visualize the website’s structure to optimize navigation, map the user experience, and determine page hierarchies. It can also be used to identify gaps in content or accelerate the design process.

Get started with the sitemap template

Sitemap example

Also called a hierarchy chart, an org chart is the perfect way to show the organizational structure of your company. A visual representation helps people quickly understand where they fit in the organization, what tasks they need to accomplish, and key stakeholders for projects. ‍

Get started with the org chart template

Organization chart example

Collaborative mind mapping made easy with Mural

So, now that you’re ready to get started on mind mapping, do you have the right tools to make it happen? There are so many mind map examples out there, but it’s important to find one that works for everyone in your business, whether you work remotely or in-office. A mind map you can customize for your needs is crucial for an innovative brainstorming session.

With Mural’s mind map template , you’ll not only spur creativity within your team but also simplify complex ideas and concepts. You can then transform your mind maps into infographics that communicate ideas more effectively with stakeholders. Get started today with a Free Forever plan , and invite your whole team so everyone can get involved in your next brainstorming session.

Get started with mind mapping and diagramming in Mural.

About the authors

Shauna Ward

Tagged Topics

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CRITICAL THINKING

1. 1. Recognize Assumptions

1.1. distinguish fact from opinion.

1.1.1. What is the basis of your opinion?

1.1.2. What evidence do you have to support it?

1.1.3. Why do you believe the information is accurate?

1.1.4. Why do you think this would apply to this problem?

1.2. Consider relevance

1.2.1. What assumptions are you making?

1.2.2. Why do you believe your assumptions apply to this situation?

1.2.3. What assumptions do you think other people are making?

1.2.4. If we were to shift our assumptions, how would that affect our decision?

1.3. Seek alternative viewpoints

1.3.1. How do you see the situation?

1.3.2. Why do you see it this way?

1.3.3. What were you expecting to see?

1.3.4. How do you see this playing out in the future?

1.3.5. How might the situation be different if different assumptions were made?

2. 2. Evaluate Arguments

2.1. be aware of persuasion techniques.

2.1.1. What's in it for me?

2.1.2. What's their intent?

2.1.3. What are the consequences?

2.2. Recognize bias

2.2.1. Is this statement free of judgment?

2.2.2. Is there confirmation bias?

2.3. Check strong emotions

2.3.1. How is emotion affecting the way information is being presented to you?

2.3.2. How are your emotions affecting your ability to think critically?

2.3.3. How would you interpret the same data if strong emotions were not at play?

3. 3. Draw Conclusions

3.1. weigh data carefully.

3.1.1. Where does the data come from?

3.1.2. Why consider the data?

3.1.3. Is data relevant?

3.1.4. What's most important?

3.1.5. What does the data say?

3.1.6. How else can the data be interpreted?

3.2. Use multiple sources

3.2.1. How many sources are used and for what purpose?

3.2.2. Are there other source that could be used?

3.3. Ask others to critique

3.3.1. Who should critique your work and why?

3.3.2. What do you want them to do?

3.4. Diagram for understanding

3.4.1. www.visual-literacy.org/periodic_table/periodic_table.html

3.4.2. www.conciselearning.com/visualmapping.html

3.4.3. www.pearltrees.com/conciselearning/1447396/

4. CRITICAL THINKING is a continuous, purposeful, and reflective process about what to believe, do, think, or learn. It is fact based, hypothesis-driven, and structured thinking. It uses systematic and objective methods to solve problems and liberates you from inaccuracies, biases, and misleading information.

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Blog Graphs and Charts What is a Mind Map? Definition, Uses, Benefits and Templates

What is a Mind Map? Definition, Uses, Benefits and Templates

Written by: Aditya Rana Apr 03, 2024

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by information overload?

You’ve got work projects (or school) to deal with, things going on in your personal life, and events and vacations to plan. Is there any escape from it all?

I’m sure you’ve tried notes and to-do lists in vain, but that is more work.

If  only  there were a way to make sense of it all. It would help if you had a mind map to help organize information and make sense of everything.

In this post, I’ll show you how to use a Free Mind Map Maker Tool and mind map templates to bring your ideas to life.

Click to jump ahead:

What is a mind map?

• Features of a mind map
• 7 benefits of mind maps

Understanding the mind map concept

Mind mapping techniques and tips, using venngage as a mind-mapping tool, mind map templates, mind map examples.

Mind maps help you organize information and ideas in the same way that our brains make connections.

Here’s an example of a mind map.

Mind map definition

A mind map is a visual diagram representing ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central concept using a non-linear graphical layout.

Mind maps help visualize and classify ideas and are great tools for studying, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Key features of a mind map

Why are mind maps an effective tool for capturing and organizing your thoughts? To understand, we’ll need to understand its structure.

Central concept

Mind maps feature a central concept or topic in the middle of the page, often represented as an image or word.

This mind map explains the “Four P’s Copywriting Formula”, with the central idea prominently placed on the left (the main theme doesn’t always have to be in the middle of a mind map!).

From the main idea should extend multiple branches, which include information on sub-topics linked to the central idea.

This mind map shows how a central concept can be explored in depth by branching the main idea (in this case, team communication strategies ) into more specific or actionable items.

Mind maps often use visuals, including images, icons, graphics, and symbols, to enhance memory and engagement.

This mind map uses visuals to illustrate the job hiring process. Each step is color-coded and includes an icon or graphic representing the described step to enhance memory recall and engagement through visual cues.

Flexibility

With mind maps, there’s no structure or right or wrong way to create the end product. You’re free to add ideas and explore connections organically.

This mind map is non-linear and multidirectional, reinforcing the idea that there’s no right way to organize information. Connecting items in a mind map depends on how you think about the relationship between concepts.

7 benefits of using mind maps

Mind maps help us think in ways we’re not used to, which means you can expect many benefits. Let’s explore each in detail.

Aids with memory recall

Mind maps help you better remember and recall information. According to one research on its benefits in education, mind maps enhanced  retention by 10-15%. 

This mind map, such as this example on the reasons for jealousy, taps into our visual-spatial memory, making it easier to recall the information later than if we had just read it as text.

Helps you better understand ideas and concepts

Mind maps help you better understand ideas by visually breaking down and categorizing information in an easy-to-grasp format.

This mind map mirrors how our brains naturally make sense of information (by connecting dots and forming patterns), making it much easier to understand a concept like corporate communication.

Boosts creativity

By encouraging you to explore relationships between ideas in a free-flowing manner, mind maps make it possible to get creative and innovative.

This mind map branches out into different categories of marketing strategies, with further subcategories to encourage you to dig deeper. The overall shape also looks like an ‘8’, which could serve as a visual reminder or represent the continuous cycle of creativity and feedback essential in marketing.

Increases productivity

Mind maps can improve productivity by providing a clear visual outline of your tasks and goals, which makes it easy to identify priorities and allocate resources.

This mind map offers a structured overview of the project management process and can help transform complex project information into an accessible and actionable visual format.

Leads to better communication

Mind maps improve communication skills by promoting a better understanding of information, processes, and tasks among individuals.

This mind map visually presents critical strategies crucial during business interactions. It serves as a quick reference guide and improves one’s ability to negotiate and interact effectively in a business environment.

Cultivates critical thinking skills

Mind maps improve critical thinking skills by letting you see a problem from various angles, which helps establish connections between what may initially seem unrelated.

This mind map aids in critical thinking by laying out the basics of total quality management in a manner that requires interpretation, understanding, and application to real-world organizational challenges.

Improves problem-solving ability

Mind maps can help you solve problems effectively by enabling you to brainstorm solutions and evaluate the best course of action in a clear and structured manner.

This mind map lays out the career paths one could pursue with a sociology degree. It allows people with this degree to problem-solve career planning and make informed decisions about their future.

Mind maps are effective because they mimic how the human brain organizes information and makes connections.

British psychology author Tony Buzan popularized mind maps in the 1970s during a TV show where he revealed how to use mind maps to harness our cortical skills — words, images, numbers, logic, rhythm, color, and spatial awareness.

Of course, mind maps are not that new, though.

They can be traced back to ancient times, with the first mind map attributed to Porphyry of Tyros from the 3rd century, who mapped the relationship between material and immaterial things.

Mind mapping techniques refer to strategies and methods to organize information and create a mind map.

Though there are several mind-mapping techniques, I’ll guide you through one that’s fail-safe.

Choose a central idea first

Start by defining a clear idea that represents the main theme or topic. Place it in the center of your page with a circle or box around it. This is the ‘heart’ of your mind map.

Can you guess the central idea of this mind map? If you guessed company policies, you’re bang on the money!

Describe key ideas to support your central theme

After you have a central theme, it’s time to create branches to contextualize the topic you are mapping.

These branches act as the pillars of thoughts and should be defined through text, visually, or both!

This mind map template expands on the main topic with five critical pillars described with text and visuals and color-coded for easy recognition in the crowd of circles.

Draw sub-branches to refine information further

From your main branches, draw additional branches to represent sub-topics that break down complex ideas into more manageable chunks.

This mind map is an excellent example of each branch being split into specialized sub-topics that provide a more detailed understanding of the central concept by dissecting it into parts.

Use color to categorize information

Colors are a great way to differentiate between ideas, themes, or categories and make mind maps visually appealing.

Another bonus of using colors in mind maps is that they provide a creative way to organize information and make it easier to remember.

This mind map template uses colors strategically to differentiate between business objectives, action plans, and problems.

Use symbols and images to make mind maps appealing

Icons and symbols are visual tools that make your mind maps visually appealing.

More importantly, images are mnemonic devices that can improve recall and make mind maps a practical study or brainstorming tool.

This mind map shows various health categories such as exercise, diet, sleep, and stress management. But you could tell that immediately without reading and looking at the imagery.

Use cross-linkages

Cross-linkages show connections between different ideas or branches on a mind map, revealing how different concepts relate to each other and enhancing overall understanding.

Here are some other mind-mapping tips:

• Use single words or uncomplicated phrases.
• Use printed words, which are easier to read than joined-up or indistinct writing.
• Use the right tool to create a mind map. Though you can draw a mind map manually using pen and paper, using a digital Mind Map Maker is better because it lets you be more flexible, add visuals, and add easily share your creation.

Want to learn more about mind maps? Check out our other resources! 15+ Mind Map Examples to Organize Your Team and Inspire New Ideas 40+ Mind Map Templates To Help You Visualize Ideas How to Use a Mind Map for Note Taking During Business Meetings

Though pen and paper can be a great way to quickly create a basic mind map, it’s not the best method for creating one that is visually engaging and easy to share.

I recommend using a digital  mind mapping tool  like Venngage to create mind maps in seconds. And don’t worry—you don’t need any design skills since the tool has a drag-and-drop interface.

Here’s how to create mind maps with Venngage.

Step 1 – Sign up for a FREE Venngage account

Sign up for a free Venngage account using your email, Gmail, or Facebook account.

Step 2 – Pick a mind map template from our templates page

Go to our  templates page  to see our entire library of templates. Select the  mind map templates  on the left side panel to filter for mind maps.

Here, you’ll see all our mind map templates. PS: You can further even more for different types of mind maps such as business, concept, marketing, etc.

Step 3 – Edit one of our mind map templates

Once you find a template, click the “Create” button. This will take you to the sign-in or sign-up screen if you haven’t created an account.

Once signed in, you’ll have access to the  mind map maker  tool, where you can customize mind map templates.

Pretty straightforward so far, right?

Here’s a quick overview of some nifty customization options within Venngage.

• Click any node and use the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ to add or delete it.
• Change the text, icons, or graphics within the template.
• Add your  brand colors  to your mind map with a single click using  My Brand Kit (available only for Business users).

Once you’re happy with a design, you can download it in PDF, PNG, and other formats (for Business plan users only) or share a link to your mind map for free.

You’ve seen plenty of mind map templates by now, but why should you use one?

The benefit of mind map templates is that they help you save time and provide an easy starting point.

I mean, why create mind maps the hard way, where you’ve got to come up with design, layout, and graphics, when you can use a template where the hard work is already done for you?

You’ll find no shortage of  mind map templates  online (do a quick Google), but I recommend using Venngage templates, which have been created by professional designers.

Some of our mind map templates are free to use, while others require a small monthly fee. Sign-up is free, as is access to Venngage’s online drag-and-drop editor.

In business, success relies on good ideas, and brainstorming is a great way to uncover them, as seen in this ecommerce marketing strategy mind map.

If you’re responsible for figuring out how to improve a process at the workplace, the best way to start is by brainstorming.

This mind map is great for process improvement as it focuses on three key areas and then breaks each down further, enabling discussion of what is possible.

If you’ve worked for a corporate job, you’ll surely have seen mind maps before, like this strategy mind map explaining the company’s communication plan.

Mind maps are also great educational tools that can explain complex concepts quickly. Is there any other way you’d want to learn about different real estate types?

Students can also benefit from mind maps, especially before tests when they have to memorize a lot of information. Creating a mind map is a great way to cement connections!

Conclusion: Transform the way you organize information and plan processes with mind maps

With a million things going through our heads every day, it can be challenging to organize ideas and even more challenging to get others to understand them.

Not with mind maps, though. Until technology becomes so advanced, we can read each other’s thoughts.

Mind maps are the best way to map ideas, take notes, and share your thoughts. Start making your mind map today for free with Venngage (no design experience required).

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• v.48(3); 2020 Mar

Impact of mind mapping on the critical thinking ability of clinical nursing students and teaching application

Hang-zhou wu.

1 School of Nursing, Nursing Department, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China

Qiu-Ting Wu

2 Nursing Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China

Short abstract

We analyzed the impact of mind mapping on the critical thinking ability of clinical nursing students and its use as a teaching application. This study provides reference information for clinical teaching.

We selected 64 nursing students using convenience sampling. Participants received basic knowledge training of mind mapping in three sessions during the intervention. Questionnaires on critical thinking ability were designed by the researchers, adopting the Chinese version of the Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory. Data collected using the questionnaires included learning strategy function and clinical skill improvement with mind mapping, as well as students’ degree of adaptability to mind mapping. Participants’ critical thinking ability before and after the intervention was analyzed using a paired t -test.

The critical thinking inclination of nursing students was significantly improved after intervention compared with that before the intervention ( t  = −0.74). The four dimensions of open-mindedness, inquisitiveness, cognitive maturity, and systematicity among nursing students after the intervention were also significantly improved compared with before the intervention.

Mind mapping is conducive to improving the critical thinking ability of clinical nursing students.

The modern medical environment requires nurses to have abilities of independent judgment, independent decision-making, and independent execution in clinical practice. Hence, nursing staff must be equipped with critical thinking skills. 1 , 2 Critical thinking pervades all human activities via the processes of thinking and reflection and is key in acquiring all of the abovementioned abilities. 3 , 4 In recent years, an increasing number of educators have realized the disadvantages of traditional teaching methods. Nursing educators have therefore attempted to implement various teaching methods, to improve critical thinking skills in nursing students. 5

In recent years, mind mapping has been applied in the field of nursing as a novel thinking method that has been integrated with teaching and learning. 6 – 9 Mind mapping, as a new learning memory tool, was proposed in the early 1960s by Tony Buzan, a psychologist and educational expert in Britain. 10 Mind mapping uses a technique of combining drawings with words to build memory links between a topic keyword and image, color, or other link, thereby highlighting the key point and level of the memory contents, allowing learners to effectively store and extract information. 10 It has been revealed that mind mapping, as a training tool in thinking, not only improves learning efficiency but also increases learning motivation and interest. 11 However, there is a lack of evidence on whether mind mapping can be effectively applied to clinical practice education.

The aim of the present study was to analyze whether mind mapping can effectively improve the ability to think critically among clinical nursing students. We discuss the impact of mind mapping on critical thinking among nursing students in clinical practice and provide reference information for clinical teaching.

Participants and methods

Research participants.

We selected nursing students at grade A tertiary hospitals in Fuzhou City using a convenience sampling method. All nursing students who were on duty in the medical and surgical wards from August 2016 to December 2016 were included in the study. The exclusion criteria were nursing students who did not wish to collaborate in the research process. In this study, all nursing students voluntarily participated in the research.

Research tools

The questionnaire included basic information such as sex, age, and school information. The Chinese version of the Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CTDI-CV) was applied. The content validity of the CTDI-CV is 0.89, as revised by Peng 12 and other translators at Hong Kong Polytechnic University; the Cronbach's alpha value of the CTDI-CV is 0.90. This scale consists of seven dimensions: analyticity, open-mindedness, self-confidence, inquisitiveness, cognitive maturity, systematicity, and truth-seeking; there are 10 entries per each dimension, for a total of 70 entries. The content of these entries are assessed using six ranking levels, from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree”. In the questionnaire, scores from 6 to 1 were considered positive entries, with higher scores indicting stronger agreement; scores from 1 to 6 scores were considered negative entries, with higher scores indicting stronger disagreement. The total score of each dimension ranges from 10 to 60, in which a score ≥40 indicates a positive inclination toward critical thinking, a score <30 a negative inclination, and a score of 30 to 40 indicates neither positive nor negative inclination toward critical thinking. The total score of the scale ranges from 70 to 420, with a score <210 indicating a negative inclination, a score of 210 to 280 a neutral inclination, a score >280 a positive inclination, and a score >350 indicating a strong inclination toward critical thinking. In the present study, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.967.

Questionnaire on the application of mind mapping in teaching activities

We used a questionnaire addressing application of mind mapping to teaching activities. The survey was self-designed by the investigators to collect the students’ attitudes and evaluations of mind mapping as a teaching method. The content validity of this questionnaire was revised by three clinical experts with senior professional titles in nursing and more than 5 years of clinical teaching experience. The content of the questionnaire included learning strategy function and clinical skill improvement for mind mapping, as well as the degree of adaptability of students to mind mapping, among other aspects. A 5-point Likert ranking scale was adopted, with response options of strongly disagree, disagree, uncertain, agree, and strongly agree. These were each given a score from one to five; a score >4 indicated a positive attitude, a score of 3 a neutral attitude, and a score <3 indicated a negative attitude. Open-ended questions were included to assess the thoughts of nursing students regarding the application of mind mapping to teaching.

This questionnaire was validated by seven experts in two-round Delphi surveys. The panelists included (1) medical or surgery nurse educators with at least 2 years’ teaching experience, (2) at least 5 years’ working experience, and (3) a bachelor’s degree or above. Panelists evaluated the appropriateness and relevance of each item independently and provided their comments. The content validity index was calculated as the percentage of items identified as “relevant” or “very relevant”; this was 92% in the first round. Based on the experts’ comments, three questions were modified. The content validity index in the second round, conducted 2 weeks later, was 100%.

The Cronbach’s alpha of the questionnaire was 0.82. The internal consistency of the questions was 0.80, indicating an acceptable internal consistency.

Intervention method

During the internship period, basic knowledge training in mind mapping was provided by a full-time educator with a PhD and many years’ experience in the application of mind mapping for nursing students. The training was conducted for a total of three sessions of 2 hours each. The main contents included the definition, development process, and role of mind mapping, as well as an introduction to the drawing software and drawing method. The researchers conducted three demonstrations of mind mapping using a clinical case diagram, to improve nursing students’ understanding and comprehension of clinical mind mapping and to enhance their interest in learning the techniques. Each demonstration lasted about 40 minutes.

Each internship group, consisting of 4 to 6 members, learned and discussed the role and drawing method of mind mapping for a total of 3 to 5 sessions per group, for 30 to 40 minutes per session. Each group was allowed to independently select a topic for the mind mapping session, according to the educational contents of the Internship Department. Each group drew a mind map according to disease entities included in ward round teaching of the Internship Department. The investigators and clinical educators collected and summarized the data.

Data collection and statistical methods

The investigators personally administered the questionnaires to nursing students before and after the intervention, and collected all completed questionnaires. Data before the intervention were collected just prior to nursing students beginning their clinical training in the medical and surgical wards. Data after the intervention were collected after students finished their training in the wards, about 2 months later.

Data input and statistical analysis were conducted using SPSS 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Comparative analysis was performed to assess the critical thinking ability of nursing students before and after the intervention using a paired t -test. The results of the analysis are reported using mean and standard deviation.

Ethical considerations

This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The study was conducted with the approval of the Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Demographic variables of participants

Sixty-four nursing students from grade A tertiary hospitals in Fuzhou City were recruited using a convenience sampling method. The age range of the included students was 21 to 23 years. Among participants, 62 (96.87%) were women and two (3.13%) were men; 34 (52.35%) students were undergraduate university students and 30 (46.2%) were junior college students. There were 14 student groups, with an average of 4 to 6 students per group.

Critical thinking inclination before and after intervention

The results of the assessment of participants’ inclination toward critical thinking before and after intervention are shown in Table 1 . The total score for critical thinking inclination among nursing students before the intervention was 263.95 ± 46.09, indicating a neutral inclination. The total score for students’ critical thinking inclination after the intervention was 281.68 ± 46.14, indicating a positive inclination toward critical thinking. On comparing the critical thinking inclination before and after intervention, the inclination toward critical thinking of nursing students after the intervention was significantly improved compared with that before intervention ( t  = −0.74, P  = 0.045).

Results for participants’ inclination toward critical thinking, before and after the intervention (n = 64).

* P <  0.05.

Critical thinking ability before and after intervention according to scores on each dimension

The four dimensions of open-mindedness, inquisitiveness, cognitive maturity, and systematicity among nursing students were also significantly improved after the intervention, as compared with those before intervention ( Table 1 ) ( P  < 0.05). The four dimensions of analyticity, self-confidence, inquisitiveness, and systematicity after intervention showed a positive inclination toward critical thinking ( Table 1 ).

Survey results regarding mind mapping application in teaching

Results of the survey on the application of mind mapping to teaching activities are shown in Table 2 . The survey revealed that in the overall evaluation (average score 4.13 ± 0.73) of the mind mapping teaching method, nursing students had a positive attitude toward knowledge memory enhancement, cultivation of analytical abilities, the ability to systematically organize information, and the ability to combine theory with practice, among other aspects, all with scores of more than 4. Most nursing students reported that they enjoyed learning mind mapping and were willing to use the method in their work, with scores of more than 4 ( Table 2 ).

Survey results regarding application of mind mapping in teaching activities (n = 64).

In response to the open-ended questions, nursing students stated that the combination of mind mapping and professional knowledge can improve learning efficiency, contribute to learning memory, and cultivate analytical abilities. The main difficulties reported by participants in drawing mind maps ( Figure 1 ) were that the process is time-consuming, being unfamiliar with application software, and being unskilled in drawing, among others

Examples of nursing student’s mind map.

Improvement in critical thinking ability using mind mapping in nursing education

The research results revealed that the critical thinking ability of nursing students obviously improved after training in mind mapping, with neutral inclinations toward critical thinking before the intervention improving to positive inclinations post intervention. After the intervention, the four dimensions of analyticity, self-confidence, inquisitiveness, and cognitive maturity in critical thinking showed positive inclinations, indicating an enhanced desire for acquiring knowledge among nursing students and improved attitudes regarding independent investigation and initiative. These findings were consistent with research results reported by Chen and Zhang 13 and Chen and Zhao. 14 Therefore, our findings confirm that the application of mind mapping in teaching can improve the critical thinking ability of nursing students. 15 , 16 Mind mapping can be used to effectively integrate and optimize learning resources, helping to build a complete knowledge system. This approach will contribute to improving students’ abilities of comprehensive analysis, resulting in a more scientifically rigorous and effective learning process. 17

At the intervention stage, clinical educators guide nursing students in acquiring comprehensive and systematic knowledge and skills. These students can in turn provide patients with integrated professional health services including basic nursing, condition observation, rehabilitation guidance, and health education. 18 At the internship stage, on-duty nursing students are full of intellectual curiosity and eager to apply their professional knowledge. Hence, this is a stage during which nursing students can attain a sense of accomplishment and responsibility. In our study, training in mind mapping helped nursing students adapt to new internship environments. 9 , 19 The training possessed a good guidance function in professional knowledge mastery for students during their short internship period. 20 Thus, the dimensions of open-mindedness, inquisitiveness, cognitive maturity, and systematicity were obviously improved in our participants. However, the dimensions of analyticity, self-confidence, and truth-seeking did not show improvement. This may be because the clinical educators in this study were unfamiliar with mind mapping and thus, could not provide adequate guidance for students in these dimensions.

Positive attitude toward the application of mind mapping in teaching nursing students

In this study, we surveyed and interviewed participants and found that applying mind mapping in teaching has become a popular learning method among nursing students at the research hospitals in this study. Students reported that mind mapping helped to enhance their memory, to better acquire knowledge and analytical abilities and to systematically organize information. Students reported that they can adapt to mind mapping in clinical education that combines theory with practice, to acquire and improve their critical thinking abilities. In the present study, nursing students freely designed mind maps rather than being provided with a pre-drawn example. In this way, students’ initiative for learning can best be mobilized. 21 , 22

Despite our positive findings, we revealed that mind mapping was ineffective in improving participants’ problem-solving abilities. This is possibly related to the stronger emphasis on memory and learning efficiency of mind maps, with less emphasis on solving practical problems. In our study, nursing students reported that they might have less initiative to draw mind maps while learning because the process is time-consuming.

In conclusion, teaching using mind mapping can cultivate the critical thinking ability of nursing students. Furthermore, clinical educators can apply mind mapping during the training of these students in the internship process. This approach will help nursing students to acquire comprehensive skills and improve their initiative to learn.

Declaration of conflicting interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

This study was supported by the Projects of Educational and Teaching Reform of Universities in Fujian Province (No. J15035).

Hang-Zhou Wu https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1354-0527

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What is Mind Mapping? How To Do It & What Tools To Use

Mind mapping is a useful project tool for processes like brainstorming, problem-solving, and visual thinking. Learn more about how it implement it on your own projects, and software you might use to do so.

Have you ever had one of those moments when your mind is racing over a project and won’t let you sleep? Mind mapping is a visual tool that will not only help you stop that racing mind, but help you both express your ideas to your project team and gather ideas from them! 

What Is Mind Mapping?

In a nutshell, mind mapping is a brainstorming technique designed to document, share, and streamline of all your unfiltered, unorganized thoughts while also building relationships between those different thoughts. It can be used individually or by teams.

Simplistically, it is a diagram that kind of looks like a tree:

To create this, I used Miro’s Mind Mapping template .

At the center is the central topic: the concept, problem, or idea to be discussed. Branches and nodes extend from that central concept or trunk to form subtopics. From each branch are subsequent branches which build on the previous branch to communicate finer and finer details in a hierarchical structure.

For example, this could be what the start of a mind map for a problem or idea looks like: 

Your diagram can then become more complex as your ideas develop, such as in the example below:

A Brief History Of Mind Mapping

While it's been around since the time of Aristotle—it was used by Porphyry of Tyre in the 3rd century to map out categories of Aristotle—it was more recently popularized in the 1970s, and remains a great tool in the facilitator's toolkit for visual and creative thinking.

What we think of today as a mind map—a radial network of nodes and branches—was popularized in 1974 by Tony Buzan, a British popular psychologist.

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The Purpose Of Mind Mapping

In our digital project management world, mind mapping is a great tool or technique to map out ideas and relationships, particularly related to developing requirements with clients in brainstorming activities and problem-solving.

The goal is to build a visual representation of the discussion and the associated relationships around the central theme (the problem or idea). Visual models such as mind maps really help teams collaborate effectively together in a meeting, and these models are much better at capturing relationships between ideas than simple text in a document. 

Learn more about the purpose of mind mapping here .

Benefits Of Mind Mapping

Mind mapping has a wealth of psychological benefits that will ultimately improve productivity on your projects. Here are 8 of them:

• More effective problem solving : Mind mapping allows you to see problems from all angles and integrate both left and right brain thinking.
• Increased productivity : Everyone can put their heads together and come up with quick and creative solutions, and then use mind maps to break them down into manageable tasks or chunks.
• Improved communication : Mind maps help you organize your ideas so you can then communicate them more effectively to team members and stakeholders.
• Better recall and understanding : With your thoughts and ideas organized, you can improve your memory retention and overall comprehension for each piece of information.
• Enhanced learning and creativity : Studies have shown mind mapping increases learning outcomes and creative thinking.
• Simplify complex ideas : Mind maps allow you to see both the big picture and how the details fit together.
• Improved presentations : Mind maps are a great visual for your audience, and they help organize and structure presentations in a way that's easy for the audience to follow.
• Better critical thinking skills : Studies have shown that mind maps improve critical thinking and help users generate creative solutions and evaluate those solutions for better decision-making.

Read more about the benefits of mind mapping here , along with more supporting studies and data.

Mind Mapping Examples

Let's go through three case studies to better understand when and how to use mind mapping.

• Brainstorming: a great way to flesh out vague requirements into more meaningful details
• Problem solving: a great way to work out what the root cause of the problem is and better scope the problem
• Visual thinking: a great way to get those ideas out of your head and into a structure so you can explain them to someone else

Brainstorming

A scenario I’ve run into multiple times, particularly in projects that involve designing and building digital assets, is one where we need to design a particular page with very vague requirements from the client. Let's say it's a sales page. 

We know that key elements of a sales page are:

• Interesting graphic or video
• Call to Action
• Lead Capture Form

What you would do with the mind map is: put the type of sales page in the center of the map, with five branches—one for each of the above key elements. You would start with something that looks like this: 

Then have the team—possibly with the client—build out further branches off of the 5 core branches to create the associated content for each one. You may want to even have alternative options within the main branches that can then be evaluated or selected from. 

Problem Solving

In our second scenario, problem solving, an example that readily comes to mind is presenting a web page to a client and then having them decide it doesn’t work.

The problem is that they haven’t given you specific feedback that is helpful in the redesign. What you’ll need to do is understand what the problem with the page really is. 

To use a mind map in this scenario, start out with some of the standard elements of the page; things like the headline, navigation, etc. Then you’ll want to have the input from the team on what additional branches of the issue could be—softer or less specific elements such as look and feel, or more specific sub-branches, such as the headline being too big or too little. 

These may not always be specific enough to know what to do (at least without confirmation from the client) but it will help paint a picture of where the issues are. This would result in a mind map that could look like:

From there, your team can select which elements to work on to redraft the page. 

Visual Thinking

I find this to be a great tool to ‘unravel’ an idea that is noodling around in my head—so this example is about working through something independently. Mind maps can be a great way to help you get a good night's sleep. Draw the trunk and a couple of branches out and go back to bed! 

One example that might wake you up or make it hard to go to sleep: finding a new project management job! Here’s what it could look like: 

Tips For Getting Started With Mind Mapping

• Start with the central or main idea . This is the ‘trunk’ of the mind map. Pick a couple of keywords—one noun and one verb are sufficient to describe the central idea. Don’t forget you’re building a tree that will have multiple limbs and branches. Don’t make this complicated.
• Have each person (if you’re working with your team) add a related idea to that central trunk. Ensure you get one new idea per person, to make sure everyone participates and is heard in the brainstorming session.
• Avoid using mind maps with groups larger than 6 people . Make sure you have the right people in the room helping you build your mind map! 
• Have the group work individually or in small groups on building a specific sub-branch of the mind map. This will make sure the tree is not unwieldy and overly complicated. Each of these sub-branches should directly relate to the ‘branch’ before it. 

Mistakes To Avoid When Creating Mind Maps

Here are five common mistakes to watch out for as you're creating your mind maps.

• Don't make the central idea or main idea too specific . You won't have anywhere to go. As mentioned, keep it to one or two keywords.
• Don't use a surface that's too small . You don't want to run out of room on your whiteboard or sheet of paper. Software is great here because it often provides infinite space.
• Don't include too many people . As mentioned, limit your sessions to 6 people or less, and make sure you have the right people. Your project sponsor probably doesn't need to weigh in on the design issue you're running up against.
• Don't limit yourself to text . Add images, illustrations, diagrams, and whatever else you need to make your point. Most mind mapping software offers this capability as well.
• Don't forget to set a clear purpose for the session . Are you solution-ing or simply brainstorming? Make sure your participants are clear on the desired outcome of the session.

More Articles

Workflow vs process: 5 key differences & 5 similarities, ultimate guide to workflow integration: definition & examples, what are visual workflows & 8 expert tips to build one, recommended tools for efficient mind mapping.

While hand-drawn mind maps can be extremely helpful, mind mapping software allows you to create and customize mind maps online, and often collaboratively. Luckily, there is a large market for mind mapping tools, so you will have plenty of opportunities to find the best tool for you. There are even free mind mapping software tools available if you want to get the benefits without the additional overhead.

I would recommend finding a tool that has multiple diagramming possibilities and also multiple ways to output your results so you can share them with your team and your clients. Think about other diagrams that you frequently use for your digital projects—things like storyboards, concept maps, spider diagrams, process flow diagrams, and wireframes—so you can get as much use out of one tool as possible.

Here are some of the best mind map maker options on the market today:

• 1. Miro — Best mind mapping with built-in communication tools
• 2. Ayoa — Best all-in-one mind mapping software
• 3. FigJam — Best for creating live mind maps during team meetings
• 4. Invision — Best design template library
• 5. MindGenius — Best simple mind mapping software
• 6. Creately — Best with ULM diagram templates and real-time collaboration
• 7. Whimsical — Best for real-time mind map collaboration
• 8. Mindomo — Best omni-platform experience across cloud, desktop, and mobile
• 9. Coggle — Best for embeddable mind maps
• 10. SmartDraw — Best for mind mapping templates

The Digital Project Manager is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click through links on our site— learn more  about how we stay transparent.

Where To Go Next

So, you know what a mind map is, how and why you should make one, and you have a list of mind mapping software to start searching for your ideal tool. What next?

As always, a quick overview is not going to teach you everything you need to know. If you want to continue learning about mind mapping, DPM has several resources available. For example, you can become a DPM member and check out my facilitation workshop , where I discussed facilitating group discussions, advancing project goals, and encouraging team participation (all in Miro!).

Feel free to also subscribe to the DPM newsletter , where we’ll be exploring more great tools and mind mapping techniques .

No matter how you choose to continue, however, I hope you now have a good understanding of mind mapping and are able to utilize it to make your brainstorming sessions more efficient and effective. Good luck, and happy mapping!

Enhancing students’ critical thinking and creative thinking: An integrated mind mapping and robot-based learning approach

• Published: 16 May 2024

Cite this article

• Min-Chi Chiu 1 , 2 &
• Gwo-Jen Hwang   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-5155-276X 3 , 4  

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Fostering students’ critical thinking and creative thinking is an important aim in education. For example, art courses not only focus on artwork creation, but also on theoretical knowledge for identifying artworks. In the conventional lecture-based instruction mode for theoretical knowledge delivery, students’ learning outcomes could be affected owing to the lack of student-teacher interactions, and hence researchers have started to employ interactive learning technologies, such as robots, to cope with this problem. However, without proper guidance and support, students’ learning outcomes in such an interactive learning mode could be limited. To improve students’ learning effectiveness, this study proposed a mind mapping-assisted robot (MM-R) approach for an art course. A quasi-experimental design was adopted to explore the effects of the proposed learning approach on students’ performance in art appreciation, digital painting creation, creative thinking tendency, and critical thinking awareness. A total of 48 students from two classes in a university in central Taiwan were recruited to participate in this study. One class was the experimental group ( n  = 25) adopting the MM-R approach, while the other class was the control group ( n  = 23) adopting the conventional robot (C-R) approach. The results indicated that the integration of the MM-R approach improved students’ learning achievement, performance in digital painting creation, creative thinking tendency, and critical thinking awareness.

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This study is supported in part by the National Science and Technology Council of Taiwan under contract numbers NSTC 112-2410-H-011-012-MY3 and MOST 111-2410-H-011 -007 -MY3. The study is also supported by the “Empower Vocational Education Research Center” of National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) from the Featured Areas Research Center Program within the framework of the Higher Education Sprout Project by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Taiwan.

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Min-Chi Chiu

Department of Multimedia Design, National Taichung University of Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan

Graduate Institute of Educational Information and Measurement, National Taichung University of Education, Taichung, Taiwan

Gwo-Jen Hwang

Graduate Institute of Digital Learning and Education, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan

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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Min-Chi Chiu. Project administration were performed by Gwo-Jen Hwang and Min-Chi Chiu. Methodology and supervision were performed Gwo-Jen Hwang and Min-Chi Chiu. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Min-Chi Chiu. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Gwo-Jen Hwang .

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Chiu, MC., Hwang, GJ. Enhancing students’ critical thinking and creative thinking: An integrated mind mapping and robot-based learning approach. Educ Inf Technol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12752-6

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Flowcharts and Mind Maps for Deeper Learning

Flowcharts and mind maps can be valuable tools in teaching Social Science in higher grades (9-12) for several reasons:

Flowcharts:

1. Visualize complex processes: Flowcharts can help students understand and analyze historical events, political systems, or economic processes by breaking them down into step-by-step sequences.

2. Cause-and-effect relationships: Flowcharts can illustrate how events or decisions lead to specific consequences, enabling students to grasp causal relationships.

3. Decision-making: Flowcharts can simulate decision-making scenarios, allowing students to explore different outcomes based on various choices.

1. Conceptual connections: Mind maps can help students visualize relationships between ideas, concepts, and themes in Social Science, promoting a deeper understanding of complex topics.

2. Note-taking and organization: Mind maps can aid students in organizing notes and ideas, making it easier to review and study material.

3. Creative thinking: Mind maps can encourage students to think creatively about historical events, cultural practices, or social issues, fostering empathy and critical thinking.

By incorporating flowcharts and mind maps into your teaching, you can:

– Enhance visual learning

– Encourage critical thinking and analysis

– Foster creativity and problem-solving skills

– Improve note-taking and organization

– Make complex concepts more accessible and engaging

Some specific examples of using flowcharts and mind maps in Social Science include:

– Creating a flowchart to illustrate the causes and effects of the American Revolution

– Developing a mind map to explore the relationships between different cultures and empires throughout history

– Using a flowchart to analyze the decision-making process in a historical event, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis

– Creating a mind map to visualize the connections between different political ideologies and their impact on society.

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"With 15 years of experience teaching grade 10 students, I'm a dedicated facilitator passionate about empowering young minds. As a lifelong learner, I embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, always seeking innovative ways to engage and inspire my students.

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