MIND MAPPING TECHNIQUE

MIND MAPPING TECHNIQUE

1.      Mind Mapping Technique.

2.      Description of Mind Mapping.

Buzan (http://www.usingmindmaps.com/what-is-a-mind-map.html) states that a mind mapping is a powerful graphic technique which provides a universal key to unlock the potential of the brain. It is visual map of ideas, laid out in a radial format around a central thought and it involves a unique combination of imagery, color and visual-spatial arrangement which is proven to significantly improve recall when compared to conventional methods of note-taking and learning by rote. It needs imagination and association to activate our brain in remembering something. The Mind Map can be applied to every aspect of life where improved learning and clearer thinking will enhance human performance. Mind mapping can be classified into four kinds, namely; network tree, event chain, cycle concept map and spider concept map.

3.      State of the level.

In this paper, the writer states the level on tenth grade students of senior high school.

4.      Skills and Components.

The writer chooses skill of writing and component of vocabulary.

5.      Procedures.

a.       The procedures in teaching writing using mind mapping are as follows:

·         Choosing a topic

The mind map strategy can be used to explore almost any topic, though discursive essays and narrative work particularly well as they front students' ideas and lend them to discussing ideas in groups.

·         Note making

Once the topic has been introduced, the teacher encourages the students to close their eyes and think about it for a minute or two, in silence. They then have two minutes in which to note down their ideas. If they do not know a word in English, they can write it in L1 at this stage, as dictionaries or too much teacher intervention tend to halt and inhibit the creative flow.

·         Feedback
The next stage, in which the teacher makes a collective mind map on the board, is optional, but is useful for students who are new to the idea of mind maps, or for weak classes.

·         Organizing mind maps

In the next step, students organize their mind maps into a linear format to decide the best format in which to present the points.

·         Writing
Students should then begin to write their compositions, working in pairs if they wish.

·         Continuation

Once students are familiar with the idea of making mind maps, they can be encouraged to use this skill for further writing activities. It is a useful technique and often improves the clarity and organization of student texts.

b.      The procedures in teaching vocabulary using mind mapping are as follows:

·         The teacher present to students about example of mind mapping with pictures and explain to the students about the teaching topic is about nouns.

·         Give students opportunities to look for the meaning of the nouns by look to its pictures.

·         Ask students to mention the meaning of the nouns in front of the class by look the pictures in example of mind mapping.

·         After the students get the idea about classify vocabularies through mind mapping, ask them to make their own mind mapping using their favorite central words.

·          Give correction or evaluation about students’ assignments.

6.      Strength and Weakness

Writing

a.       The strength of using mind mapping in teaching writing are as follows:

·         The centre of mind map (main idea) is defined clearly.

·          The level of each idea is shown clearly. The important idea is near of the centre and on other hand.

·         The relation between keywords can be known quickly because of its relation. It makes the remembering of students more effective.

·          Mind map is seen different with other maps.

·         The structure of mind map has probably to add the new information.

b.      The weakness of using mind mapping in teaching writing are as follows:

·         It needs a lot of time in organization.

·         They are some difficulties to allocate the time and need many times to find an effective keyword.

·          It is too load the students.

Vocabulary

a.       The strength of using mind mapping in teaching vocabulary are as follows:

·         Help students brainstorm and explore any idea, concept, or problem.

·         Facilitate better understanding of relationships and connections between ideas and concepts.

·         Make it easy to communicate new ideas and thought processes.

·         Allow students to easily recall information.

·         Help students take notes and plan tasks.

·         Make it easy to organize ideas and concepts.

b.      The weakness of using mind mapping in teaching vocabulary are as follows:

·         It’s not easy to change your ways of doing things, and changing form the linear system that we have been taught to use since childhood to a very different way of writing down notes requires a great effort that a lot of people are not ready to make.

·         In addition, when you approach a new subject, you may not have a clear enough grasp of it to be able to organize your thoughts about it from the start.

7.      Conclusion

Mind mapping is a beneficial learning technique to help students brainstorm any topic and think creatively. Mind mappings are particularly helpful in the writing process and provide tenth grade students with a natural way of thinking; in addition, it is also appropriate in teaching vocabulary for tenth grade students since it can help them to explore and organize their ideas and concept of new vocabulary. Then, it will help them to memorize the new vocabulary easily. The Mind Mapping can be applied to every aspect of life where improved learning and clearer thinking will enhance human performance.