Mind Mapping Software Tools for Teachers: Simplifying Math Lessons

When teaching a subject such as math, teachers know that keeping the lessons as simple as possible will help students better grasp the concepts. As such, teachers need to use teaching methods that clearly outline each step of solving the math problem in a clear, easy to understand format. Mind Mapping software can be instrumental in helping teachers to do just that, through its unique use of highly visual, spatially constructed, intuitive diagrams. With Mind Mapping, teachers can create effective math lessons that give students the ability to learn complex information more simply.

What is Mind Mapping Software?

Mind Mapping software is any software that is used to create diagrams, pictures, and other graphic visuals in order to show the relationship between ideas or other types of information.¹ With Mind Maps, the key concept or main idea of the information being presented is represented by a central image, located in the center of the map. Any themes surrounding the main idea are shown on “branches” that are attached to the central image, with subsequent themes of less importance attached by “child branches”. The resulting diagram is a “map” of the ideas and information shown in a spatial, rather than linear, format. Moreover, along with the ideas shown on the map are images, colours & visual graphics, that the owner of the “map” associates with each of the themes and ideas. Mapping out information in this manner is widely believed to allow the brain to process the information in manner more consistent with its natural functioning.

Using a Mind Map to Teach a Math Lesson

A teacher wants to teach her students a lesson in 4-digit addition in a way that is clear and easy for her students to understand. She decides to use a Mind Map to teach the lesson, and begins constructing it by using a graphic representing the lesson in the center of the map. She then lists each step the students will need to take when solving a 4-digit addition problem on “branches” that are attached to the main topic. Throughout his/her map, the teacher has added graphics and colors to make the lesson far more fun and intuitive. When she has finished her Mind Map, the teacher has the students work through sample math problems using the steps she’s listed. The attached Mind Map diagram is an example of what her math map might look like.

Learning Through Mind Mapping

Research on learning through Mind Mapping has shown that students learn “…best when [they] compare, integrate, and synthesize” the information they receive.² The students learning the lesson on addition, thus, have the advantage of learning the information in a way that they can more intuitively process and later recall. By working through math problems using a map that is both highly visual and contains several points of association, the students were able to absorb the lesson more effectively. The teacher was able to use Mind Mapping to turn a complex subject matter into a simple and creative learning experience.

1. Farrand, Paul; Hussain, Fearzana and Hennessy, Enid (May 2002). “The efficacy of the ‘mind map’ study technique”. Medical Education 36 (5): 426–431.
2. Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/k-12-education-articles/mind-maps-maximize-your-learning-power-1417918.html

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