Mind mapping can be used for note taking, putting ideas onto paper, revision and much more. A great way to use it is for essays, often I have a great conclusion and bits in the middle but no beginning. Writing an essay in a linear format means you have to start with the beginning creating writer's block! By the time you have a beginning you have forgotten the fantastic ending you thought of. The non-linear appproach of Mind Mapping an essay overcomes all these problems by allowing you put down the ending  first and any other ideas that spring to mind so nothing is lost in the process and results in a much more creative end product.

I also find it a great and very fast way for revision of any material I'm learning.

This book is a bit of a classic and has been around for a long first published in 1991, but is probably one of the best ones around on this topic.

The process of Mind mapping is very simple and can be taught to anyone from 5 year olds to older adults. The trick to using it successfully is to practice the skill until it becomes automatic. A great thing to learn over the school holidays.

Some other ideas for mind mapping :- presenting an overview of a topic; planning a family holiday together; setting goals; book reviews; students who are deaf and students with poor writing skills love the highly visual approach of mind mapping.

Author: Nancy Margulies pub 1991 (USA) pb  124 pages