1 1 00:00:03,681 --> 00:00:05,432 Now that we've talked about note-taking, 2 2 00:00:05,432 --> 00:00:08,680 let's talk about a very sophisticated and powerful way 3 3 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:12,141 of taking notes that most people fail to use. 4 4 00:00:12,141 --> 00:00:14,303 It's called mind mapping, and it was invented 5 5 00:00:14,303 --> 00:00:16,016 by one of the most prominent names 6 6 00:00:16,016 --> 00:00:19,511 in accelerated learning and memory, Tony Buzan. 7 7 00:00:19,511 --> 00:00:21,742 Mind mapping is basically drawing out 8 8 00:00:21,742 --> 00:00:25,523 this neural network of new ideas, concepts, and details 9 9 00:00:25,523 --> 00:00:28,340 in a visual and logical fashion. 10 10 00:00:28,340 --> 00:00:30,461 In the homework, you'll find an article about it 11 11 00:00:30,461 --> 00:00:33,445 with some visual mind maps you can check out yourself, 12 12 00:00:33,445 --> 00:00:35,074 as well as links to some courses 13 13 00:00:35,074 --> 00:00:38,012 that teach mind mapping in a lot of detail. 14 14 00:00:38,012 --> 00:00:40,542 But, let's try to understand what it is 15 15 00:00:40,542 --> 00:00:42,625 and why it's so powerful. 16 16 00:00:43,555 --> 00:00:44,897 What's great about mind mapping 17 17 00:00:44,897 --> 00:00:47,497 is that it allows us to draw out and visualise 18 18 00:00:47,497 --> 00:00:50,469 neural connexions in the physical realm. 19 19 00:00:50,469 --> 00:00:53,390 And since we already have a built-in system 20 20 00:00:53,390 --> 00:00:55,744 where we're encoding details to get back 21 21 00:00:55,744 --> 00:00:58,141 to the main concept, it's actually very easy 22 22 00:00:58,141 --> 00:01:01,114 for us to translate that into mind maps. 23 23 00:01:01,114 --> 00:01:04,590 Mind maps have a lot of benefits over traditional notes. 24 24 00:01:04,590 --> 00:01:06,135 Not just because they're visual, 25 25 00:01:06,135 --> 00:01:08,860 and allow us to sketch our markers if we want to, 26 26 00:01:08,860 --> 00:01:10,728 but also because they actually show 27 27 00:01:10,728 --> 00:01:12,655 the logical interrelation 28 28 00:01:12,655 --> 00:01:15,426 between different thoughts and ideas. 29 29 00:01:15,426 --> 00:01:17,872 On top of all of this, they're really fast, 30 30 00:01:17,872 --> 00:01:19,944 and they're much easier to read and review 31 31 00:01:19,944 --> 00:01:22,592 than a boring outline structure. 32 32 00:01:22,592 --> 00:01:23,607 Just imagine that, 33 33 00:01:23,607 --> 00:01:26,215 instead of jotting out notes for a book you read, 34 34 00:01:26,215 --> 00:01:30,280 you instead turn the entire book into one big mind map, 35 35 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:31,926 noting out the major concepts, 36 36 00:01:31,926 --> 00:01:34,079 or breaking out branches by chapters, 37 37 00:01:34,079 --> 00:01:36,394 or any other structure you can imagine 38 38 00:01:36,394 --> 00:01:40,138 for translating the information into a visual layout. 39 39 00:01:40,138 --> 00:01:42,536 It doesn't even have to be a visual layout actually, 40 40 00:01:42,536 --> 00:01:44,735 because the technique of mind mapping 41 41 00:01:44,735 --> 00:01:47,985 even applies to imaginary mind maps that you draw up 42 42 00:01:47,985 --> 00:01:52,230 in your mind without ever having to rely on paper. 43 43 00:01:52,230 --> 00:01:54,826 Mind maps are a very personal thing, though, 44 44 00:01:54,826 --> 00:01:56,533 and to get the most out of them 45 45 00:01:56,533 --> 00:01:58,403 you're going to have to play with them and see 46 46 00:01:58,403 --> 00:02:01,744 what the best way for you to create and use them might be. 47 47 00:02:01,744 --> 00:02:03,858 To get you started, though, we'll explain 48 48 00:02:03,858 --> 00:02:05,647 the adapted mind mapping technique 49 49 00:02:05,647 --> 00:02:08,897 developed by Dr. Lev for the super learning methodology 50 50 00:02:08,897 --> 00:02:11,741 over his years of use and refinement. 51 51 00:02:11,741 --> 00:02:15,116 Though it's perhaps just a bit advanced for many students, 52 52 00:02:15,116 --> 00:02:19,143 Dr. Lev actually imagines a mind map as he creates 53 53 00:02:19,143 --> 00:02:21,948 chunks and reviews his markers. 54 54 00:02:21,948 --> 00:02:24,555 It's a powerful way of creating compound markers 55 55 00:02:24,555 --> 00:02:27,802 and preserving the logical flow of the text. 56 56 00:02:27,802 --> 00:02:31,497 First, let's address the issue of complexity. 57 57 00:02:31,497 --> 00:02:33,528 Some of you may have experienced fancy 58 58 00:02:33,528 --> 00:02:36,047 mind mapping applications with beautiful designs 59 59 00:02:36,047 --> 00:02:38,751 and tonnes of visual illustrations. 60 60 00:02:38,751 --> 00:02:41,073 You do not have to do any of that in your head, 61 61 00:02:41,073 --> 00:02:42,497 don't worry about it. 62 62 00:02:42,497 --> 00:02:45,783 You need to keep only the following basics in mind. 63 63 00:02:45,783 --> 00:02:47,815 First, the anchor. 64 64 00:02:47,815 --> 00:02:49,726 The root node, or anchor, is the place 65 65 00:02:49,726 --> 00:02:52,462 from where you access your whole mind map. 66 66 00:02:52,462 --> 00:02:54,652 Whatever imagery you use for the anchor, 67 67 00:02:54,652 --> 00:02:58,027 make it stand out, and make sure it's unforgettable. 68 68 00:02:58,027 --> 00:03:01,202 The anchor is like a personal title you give to an article. 69 69 00:03:01,202 --> 00:03:04,168 You should invest a disproportionate amount of time on it, 70 70 00:03:04,168 --> 00:03:06,601 because it's very, very important. 71 71 00:03:06,601 --> 00:03:08,353 The anchor should summarise the essence 72 72 00:03:08,353 --> 00:03:10,036 of what you need to remember. 73 73 00:03:10,036 --> 00:03:13,534 You can think of it like the trunk of a tree. 74 74 00:03:13,534 --> 00:03:16,139 Next are the retrieval markers. 75 75 00:03:16,139 --> 00:03:18,376 The anchor is connected to the retrieval markers, 76 76 00:03:18,376 --> 00:03:22,272 which are like landing pages for various lines of thought. 77 77 00:03:22,272 --> 00:03:25,156 These markers are created after reading the article, 78 78 00:03:25,156 --> 00:03:27,921 and are used as triggers to remember the root node 79 79 00:03:27,921 --> 00:03:31,140 from as many perspectives as the article supports. 80 80 00:03:31,140 --> 00:03:34,066 Invest a tonne of time into these retrieval markers, 81 81 00:03:34,066 --> 00:03:36,178 or you may forget the whole mind map 82 82 00:03:36,178 --> 00:03:38,984 in a way that only spaced repetition can cure. 83 83 00:03:38,984 --> 00:03:42,813 Think of retrieval markers as the roots of your tree. 84 84 00:03:42,813 --> 00:03:44,966 Next are the main branches. 85 85 00:03:44,966 --> 00:03:47,858 The main branches are allocated for core ideas 86 86 00:03:47,858 --> 00:03:49,689 springing from the trunk. 87 87 00:03:49,689 --> 00:03:53,510 Typically, you have three to six main branches per mind map, 88 88 00:03:53,510 --> 00:03:56,884 which correspond to the sections within an article. 89 89 00:03:56,884 --> 00:04:00,295 The main ideas should come with viable markers. 90 90 00:04:00,295 --> 00:04:04,110 Invest a moderate amount of time here. 91 91 00:04:04,110 --> 00:04:06,553 Finally, we have the smaller branches. 92 92 00:04:06,553 --> 00:04:08,303 The smaller branches are allocated 93 93 00:04:08,303 --> 00:04:12,129 to supporting ideas, controversies, and facts. 94 94 00:04:12,129 --> 00:04:13,837 These are the bulk of your markers, 95 95 00:04:13,837 --> 00:04:16,602 and you should have approximately two per paragraph, 96 96 00:04:16,602 --> 00:04:18,997 subject to the density of the text. 97 97 00:04:18,997 --> 00:04:21,110 Don't invest too, too much time here, 98 98 00:04:21,110 --> 00:04:23,431 after all you are speed-reading, 99 99 00:04:23,431 --> 00:04:25,137 and don't forget that each branch 100 100 00:04:25,137 --> 00:04:27,414 should have a visual representation. 101 101 00:04:27,414 --> 00:04:31,721 Either an icon, or a 3D object, or something like that 102 102 00:04:31,721 --> 00:04:35,519 based on the methodology you're using. 103 103 00:04:35,519 --> 00:04:38,195 Ultimately, we also have the leaves. 104 104 00:04:38,195 --> 00:04:40,386 The leaves are the details and the facts, 105 105 00:04:40,386 --> 00:04:43,147 the numbers, and the specific information 106 106 00:04:43,147 --> 00:04:46,596 that can only be represented by little, tiny leaves. 107 107 00:04:46,596 --> 00:04:48,061 Leaves are typically encoded back 108 108 00:04:48,061 --> 00:04:50,272 as details of the branch that supports them. 109 109 00:04:50,272 --> 00:04:53,038 For example, the colour of the marker, 110 110 00:04:53,038 --> 00:04:56,246 its texture, its shape, or its design. 111 111 00:04:56,246 --> 00:04:58,930 However, if these details are complex, 112 112 00:04:58,930 --> 00:05:01,776 such as names or dates or formulas, 113 113 00:05:01,776 --> 00:05:05,855 they are encoded into separate, yet smaller, branches. 114 114 00:05:05,855 --> 00:05:07,363 All the leaves are typically encoded 115 115 00:05:07,363 --> 00:05:10,042 immediately after reading a paragraph. 116 116 00:05:10,042 --> 00:05:13,488 By the way, we also have strings. 117 117 00:05:13,488 --> 00:05:15,843 Most of us should not only retain what we read, 118 118 00:05:15,843 --> 00:05:18,207 but also generate new thoughts about it. 119 119 00:05:18,207 --> 00:05:19,996 While most of the articles we encounter 120 120 00:05:19,996 --> 00:05:21,458 are built like a tree, 121 121 00:05:21,458 --> 00:05:23,451 the way our stream of thought functions 122 122 00:05:23,451 --> 00:05:27,025 is more like a spider weaving a web between trees 123 123 00:05:27,025 --> 00:05:30,319 to catch elusive bugs of new creative ideas. 124 124 00:05:30,319 --> 00:05:33,040 For this reason, we often connect the small branches 125 125 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:35,035 and the leaves of various trees 126 126 00:05:35,035 --> 00:05:37,148 with a translucent web of strings 127 127 00:05:37,148 --> 00:05:39,916 that Dr. Lev calls hyperlinks. 128 128 00:05:39,916 --> 00:05:41,907 Hyperlinking is his own addition, 129 129 00:05:41,907 --> 00:05:43,821 so you won't find any hyperlinks 130 130 00:05:43,821 --> 00:05:46,017 in the original mind mapping theory, 131 131 00:05:46,017 --> 00:05:49,107 but in all truth, you cannot operate mind maps 132 132 00:05:49,107 --> 00:05:50,975 effectively without connecting 133 133 00:05:50,975 --> 00:05:53,126 different aspects of the tree. 134 134 00:05:53,126 --> 00:05:55,323 In software, we use pointers and references 135 135 00:05:55,323 --> 00:05:57,435 with a similar effect. 136 136 00:05:57,435 --> 00:06:00,702 So, when do we use mind mapping? 137 137 00:06:00,702 --> 00:06:04,362 Well, mind mapping is not very useful for memory sports. 138 138 00:06:04,362 --> 00:06:06,679 You can't effectively encode decks of cards 139 139 00:06:06,679 --> 00:06:09,648 or sequences of numbers into a mind map. 140 140 00:06:09,648 --> 00:06:12,296 However, almost any computer programme, 141 141 00:06:12,296 --> 00:06:14,982 textbook, article, or presentation 142 142 00:06:14,982 --> 00:06:17,783 can be effectively encoded as a mind map. 143 143 00:06:17,783 --> 00:06:20,670 Whether you draw it out or visualise it in your mind, 144 144 00:06:20,670 --> 00:06:23,027 mind mapping can be a powerful tool 145 145 00:06:23,027 --> 00:06:26,682 wherever a logical structure is presented. 146 146 00:06:26,682 --> 00:06:29,443 How do you shape and design your mind maps? 147 147 00:06:29,443 --> 00:06:32,051 Dr. Lev is so used to working with data structures, 148 148 00:06:32,051 --> 00:06:34,530 that mind mapping over unique data structure 149 149 00:06:34,530 --> 00:06:36,400 comes naturally for him. 150 150 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:39,444 The form of mind mapping Anna uses with students, though, 151 151 00:06:39,444 --> 00:06:42,090 is the more classic kind of mind map. 152 152 00:06:42,090 --> 00:06:44,976 She asks you to imagine the face of an analogue clock 153 153 00:06:44,976 --> 00:06:47,254 with numbers one to 12. 154 154 00:06:47,254 --> 00:06:49,294 Now, the trunk, or the bigger branch, 155 155 00:06:49,294 --> 00:06:52,418 always connects where the clock strikes 12. 156 156 00:06:52,418 --> 00:06:54,575 You still have 11 hours to position 157 157 00:06:54,575 --> 00:06:57,061 additional markers or branches. 158 158 00:06:57,061 --> 00:06:59,586 Since each marker is a visual entity, 159 159 00:06:59,586 --> 00:07:01,865 you visualise the clock with the marker 160 160 00:07:01,865 --> 00:07:05,031 near the relevant number, like an icon. 161 161 00:07:05,031 --> 00:07:08,368 It's recommended to put markers on the odd hours, 162 162 00:07:08,368 --> 00:07:11,212 one, three, five, et cetera. 163 163 00:07:11,212 --> 00:07:14,104 Then, use the even hours as a reserve 164 164 00:07:14,104 --> 00:07:16,748 for the markers we need to add later on, 165 165 00:07:16,748 --> 00:07:18,906 like, the results of your analysis, 166 166 00:07:18,906 --> 00:07:22,076 the details you missed during the first read, and so forth. 167 167 00:07:22,076 --> 00:07:24,065 The clock face allows you to remember 168 168 00:07:24,065 --> 00:07:27,933 the exact order of markers, which are drawn clockwise, 169 169 00:07:27,933 --> 00:07:29,761 as well as the relationship between 170 170 00:07:29,761 --> 00:07:33,098 those markers and other details. 171 171 00:07:33,098 --> 00:07:35,211 So, you might be wondering, 172 172 00:07:35,211 --> 00:07:38,707 can mind mapping be used with other forms of memorization? 173 173 00:07:38,707 --> 00:07:42,288 Absolutely, in fact, it makes sense to make a hybrid 174 174 00:07:42,288 --> 00:07:43,916 between mind maps and other forms 175 175 00:07:43,916 --> 00:07:46,759 of visualisation or memorization. 176 176 00:07:46,759 --> 00:07:48,749 Visualisation, linking memories, 177 177 00:07:48,749 --> 00:07:51,516 and really just about everything we've learned so far 178 178 00:07:51,516 --> 00:07:55,538 about memory all ties in to the concept of mind mapping, 179 179 00:07:55,538 --> 00:07:57,651 and that's why it's so popular. 180 180 00:07:57,651 --> 00:08:01,109 By the way, on one last note, if you're like me, 181 181 00:08:01,109 --> 00:08:04,725 the physical aspect of mind maps is very unappealing to you. 182 182 00:08:04,725 --> 00:08:07,780 And you might also live in a post-paper world. 183 183 00:08:07,780 --> 00:08:10,549 At the same time, you may want to immortalise 184 184 00:08:10,549 --> 00:08:12,504 or share your mind maps in a way that 185 185 00:08:12,504 --> 00:08:15,471 imagining them mentally just doesn't allow. 186 186 00:08:15,471 --> 00:08:17,750 Not to fear, there's actually a lot of really great 187 187 00:08:17,750 --> 00:08:19,584 software out there for mobile devices 188 188 00:08:19,584 --> 00:08:21,698 and even desktop computers that help you 189 189 00:08:21,698 --> 00:08:24,224 make really beautiful mind maps, 190 190 00:08:24,224 --> 00:08:25,925 and we've included links to some of them 191 191 00:08:25,925 --> 00:08:27,189 in the PDF syllabus.