WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO MIND MAP NOTES FOR MY STUDENTS?

What drives me to supplement my teaching with Mind Maps?  

Mind map is one of the methods that I use in helping me teach more effectively. It assists my students by making 
learning a bit easier and in a systematic manner too. Another technique I use in parallel is the powerful TEFCAS (Try, Event, Feedback, Check, Adjust and Succeed) methodology that helped motivate and encourage my students to "Try" etc...... and then "Succeed".

I would certainly recommend any one to try to learn this simple, but yet, powerful technique that came from Tony Buzan, the originator of Mind Maps.

My sincere thanks, gratitude and deep appreciation goes to all my students and colleagues for their feedback and support. They are the REAL motivators of my passion to use mind mapping and TEFCAS, in whatever work situations and to NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC for providing a conducive teaching and learning environment. Students and colleagues have also been generous in nominating me for several teaching awards as shown below:

a) 2007/2008 Ngee Ann Polytechnic Academic Award (Development)

b) 2007/2008 School Teaching Award

c) 2008/2009 School Teaching Award

d) 2014/2015 Associate Lecturer Teaching Award (Photos).

Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Principal, Mr Clarence Ti, Presenting the "Associate Lecturer Teaching Award"

In whatever pedagogy, there would probably be some who may not agree with this unorthodox method of teaching, summarising and reinforcing learning through the use of Mind Maps and encouraging students to adopt the SUCCESS formula, TEFCAS! 

I am pleased to attach some feedbacks from students on my teaching. I hope you may find some inspiration in learning something about how I apply Mind Mapping and TEFCAS to help and motivate students associate, learn, recall and more importantly, to TRY as the first step towards SUCCESS!

Feedback From My Students

For those interested in learning mind mapping and TEFCAS, there are numerous books written by Tony Buzan that you could get from Amazon. 

For those interested to teach Mind Mapping, you may go to the following website: http://imindmap.com/training/. 

For those who wish to discuss more about it, I am pleased to assist you as a qualified practitioner of the techniques of Mind Mapping and TEFCAS.

Thank you for visiting this website.

 Mind Map Blog by Choon Boo LIM is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License

GIGO versus GIGG

I was reading Edward de Bono's "New Thinking for the New Millennium" when I came across an expression GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out) commonly used term in the computer world. Dr Edward de Bono stated that this computer logic "is the same with human logic. If the starting perceptions are faulty or inadequate, then flawless logic will produce absurd answers. But, much more dangerously, we will believe those answers to be valid."

The GIGO expression reminded me of Tony Buzan's book "Head First". He wrote that the computer GIGO logic that was thought to be true as to how the human brain thinks for many years, was in fact NOT TRUE. He emphasised that the human brain thinks, (in a more graphical way) as GIGG - i.e. Garbage In, Garbage Grows! 

He wrote that, "armed with this new information we can reconsider the idea that our synergetic brain is self-creative" as well as the fact with "the GIGG equation, the human brain can also be synergetically destroyed when rubbish or pollution infiltrates its incredibly sophisticated and complex systems....." eventually leading to "instances of suicides, murders, wars," and acts of unexplained shootings and killings in many parts of the world. How do we prevent this from happening? Apparantly, we need all to understand how the BRAIN really functions!

From my many observations, I have seen that a lack of understanding of this knowledge about the BRAIN has led to many individuals/groups "being led" to the path of "no return". Likewise, individuals/governments/countries with knowledge of how the brain functions may be able to save or pull some of these individuals to the "right path", from being depressed, individual/mass suicidal packs, or committing many unexplainable acts that we see today.

However, it is easier said than done. In the first place, the troubled individual / group needs to voice out their concerns. Sometime they communicate, but, no one seem to listen to them. Most of the times they may choose to remain silent and then, exercise their dissatisfaction through some non-violent acts like the ballot box, street demonstrations, etc... So....How could to we solve this BRAIN problem? Haha. How do we win the TRUST of these troubled individuals/group in order to win or turn them over? It is not easy......! I believe, lots of hard work is needed, sincerity in helping and giving would certainly be one of the ways.

Thus, to summarise this post in very simple terms, I would look at GIGO as how computer logic works and GIGG as how the synergetic human brain thinks. It is important to recognise this Brain Principle of Synergy. The reader may wish to explore other Brain Principles in Tony's book "Head First". Alternatively, the reader is also invited to view the various Brain Principles in a Mind Map that I did during Tony's two-day workshop in Singapore [ CLICK HERE ]
and
an excellent TEDx presentation on "The Power of a Mind to Map" that he gave in Dec 2012 [ CLICK HERE ]!

Enjoy! Thanks.

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My Mind Map on EDB Chairman, Mr Lim Siong Guan's Speech to IES on 16 Sep 2008 at Singapore Management University

I was quite excited when I got news that Mr Lim Siong Guan, then Chairman of EDB, was invited to give the IES Charles Rudd Distinguished Lecture on the day he was made Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Engineers, Singapore.

As far back as 1997, I knew that Mr Lim was very supportive of the creative techniques, such as mind mapping. Thus, I had no doubt that the lecture he would be giving would be very captivating. I was delighted that I was not wrong in my judgement!

He certainly gave an interesting perspective as to what he would say to people who tells him that Singaporeans "CANNOT"  (do it). His response to those people would be to "IGNORE THEM". He brought up the example that the simple thumbdrive that almost every IT personnel uses, was actually invented by Mr Henn Tan, (who won the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Special Achievement Award in 2010) [ CLICK HERE ]. He is a Singaporean and the Chairman and CEO of Trek 2000 [CLICK HERE]. Furthermore, Singapore is the top builder of, off-shore oil rigs in the world and many other examples

He also emphasized that solving problem should be in a FUN way. Please enjoy the remaining many interesting anecdotes in the mind map that Mr Lim shared with IES members.


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My Mind Map on Tony Buzan's "Laws of Mind Mapping".

I just love this Mind Map. It was one of the earliest Mind Map that I drew in accordance to the "Guiding Principles" that Tony and his brother Barry Buzan wrote in their "The MindMap Book". A must-read book for any person wishing to discover the secrets of mindmapping. The book is simple to read. The principles found in the book would provide essential guidance to anyone wishing to apply brain-friendly techniques that would enhance their love to mind map. Part of the secret of continuing to mind map is to motivate your brain of its immense capacity to absorb information.

I have used this mindmap guiding principles for more than 15 years. It has worked well for me in bringing a comprehensive understanding of how the brain works. Knowing how the brain functions will help many people to effectively optimise the immense latent potential/capacity of the brain.

This is done through the technique of mind mapping. Many people may not be convinced of how this could be realised. But, once you are suitably coached by an accredited mind map trainer, I strongly believe, your motivation will be so strong that it is difficult for you to be otherwise. Please do not hesitate to share/email me (lcblcb1@gmail.com) some of your thoughts on this matter.

Together, we could convince Education Ministers around the world to encourage their teachers and educationalists, to use mindmapping as one of the most effective teaching and learning tools. For a start, educationalists/trainers could use it to introduce a topic at the start of the lesson and then summarise the lessons learnt at the end of the class. I have been using it with lots of successes. The students love it! In future updates, I will include encouraging quotes from students who have been through my courses. They served as sources of "food" for my brain. Haha.

By the way, I revised the above Mind Map on 11 Feb 2001 to include the image of Albert Einstein as I always remembered what he said that "imagination is more powerful than knowledge". It is important to learn how to imagine even though you feel that it is not the best thing you like to do. Just by trying to imagine would help one in developing/enhancing their creativity quotient (CQ). Imagination is the foundation of creativity.

A memorable occasion:
I once had an opportunity to explain the above mind map to a group of educationalists, teachers and administrative staff from Wuhan Institute of Technology (WIT), China in 2009. They eagerly learned the principles of mind mapping and whatever examples and applications that I could teach them. The feedback that I received led me to believe that there is certainly quite a high demand of people wanting to know more about the use and how to apply mind mapping in China.

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My Mind Map on Tony Buzan's "Developing Family Genius" Learning Tapes on 20 Oct 2005

This A4-size mind map summary of Tony's "Developing Family Genius" is definitely a must-see and must-do mind map for all mind mappers. It combines nearly 4 hours of recording by the inventor on how the Brain Functions, Memory, Speed Reading and How to Study in a Brain-friendly Manner.

I find it hard to duplicate the above material on an equivalent A4-size space, using any of today's mindmapping software! There are many essential features that needs to be incorporated into each software before it can come close to mirroring the uniqueness of a hand drawn mind map. I would be pleased if anyone could share an equivalent of the above drawn using a computerised mind map software.

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My Mind Map on Bill Handley's "Speed Maths and Speed Fun in Learning" at Nanyang Primary School, Singapore on 12 and 14 Mar 2001

One day, my younger daughter came back with a notice that her school was organising a workshop for parents and students at the cost of $20 per person per 3hr-session on 12 and 14 March 2001. The workshop was conducted by Mr Bill Handley from Australia, who founded Learning Unlimited Australia in 1979. 

I was excited about this workshop after reading a brief description about what Bill intended to cover in speed learning and speed maths techniques in two 3hr-session. I immediately signed up for both sessions with my daughter. As usual, I quickly set up a simple central image and sat down quietly in the front row, listening attentively for his key words and watching him carefully as he illustrates examples after examples of "Speed in Learning" and "Speed Maths". The combined result of the two sessions was the mind map above.

This mind map ranks as one of my favourites as I never fail to amaze those who attend my courses how I recorded the proceedings of the Speed Learning and Speed Maths workshop religiously onto only one page. I really felt very satisfied that my mind map turned out quite balanced and readable for those viewers who wants to understand what went on in the two workshops.

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My Mind Map on Andrew Matthews on "Follow Your Heart" at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 24-25 May 2001

Attending the 2001 National Achiever's Congress at the Singapore Indoor Stadium was probably one of the exciting moments of my life. Here I was, listening to seven prominent inspirational speakers speaking over 2 days, determined to mind map their message on one sheet of paper as I have always done for all seminars that I had attended ever since I saw the potential of mind maps and how it can empower our brains to do the "impossible".
Many had came up to me to say that "It is not possible", "It is too difficult", "I always run out of space", "My mind map does not look like a mind map (cos' it is untidy).....and the list goes on. 
Thus, having done the above mind map while Andrew Matthew lectures and draws his cartoons at the same time.....I think,... could only make people wonder whether I really did it on the spot or did I do it only at the end of the day.
If anyone has seen Andrew giving the lecture, would know that he collects his drawings after his lectures. So it is almost impossible for me to remember what was drawn if I had not drawn it on the spot before he covers it up. Please enjoy the drawings as I mimicked Andrew during his lecture on "Follow Your Heart - Finding the Purpose in Your Life and Work - Have More Time, Friends, Health and Happiness". 

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My Mind Map on David Copperfield's Magic Show in Singapore Indoor Stadium on 1 July 2001

I was rather amused when someone asked me whether I did the above Mind Map during the show. Of course not! I was busy closely observing from my front line seats with my son and trying to figure out how one of the world's greatest illusionists, David Copperfield, was doing his illusions right in front of our eyes! It is really a great show that I could not possibly forget it that easily. I was thus determined to remember that night that I was kept wondering how David managed to perform his illusions. So that very night, I drew the above Mind Map. 

Till today, I could easily relate the entire magical night performance that I attended together with my son, Zhiguang. I believe, through my pictures, you, the viewer could also easily relate what went on that night.

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My Mind Map on Prof Gerard J. Puccio's (Buffalo State University) "Creativity and Creative Problem Solving" Workshop

Ever since I started mind mapping, I probably have saved tons of paper. How? Instead of several pages of notes that I would normally make when attending a whole-day seminar, I now record it on just one sheet of paper. It was with that mindset of being eco-friendly as well as to challenge myself to do the "impossible" of taking notes in colour and at one sitting, that I managed to produce the above creation of a 3-hour lecture by Professor Gerard J Puccio on 12 Jan 2001 in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. It was a privilege to attend this excellent presentation of using Creative Problem Solving as a technique in this complex world of ours. The Divergent-Convergent thinking process among other things taught during the workshop left a deep impression in my mind.

Fast forward to Dec 2012 an excellent video presentation "Creativity as a Life Skill" by Prof Gerard Puccio in which he talked about how we should be "deliberately creative" in this fast changing world of ours in order to innovate faster. Individuals and organisation who does not know how to promote creativity would be the eventual losers.  

Fast forward to 16 March 2013, The Straits Times, page D6
An article on Why Study? by the Dean of NUS faculty of Law, Simon Chesterman where he mentioned that to survive, to do well in this globalised world , one needs to be creative, to think laterally, to be passionate about things because they are part of your identity rather than part of your career plan. Because today's students cannot know what is going to be important to their career. A good example of this is the late Steve Jobs. Professor Chesterman further elaborated that it was "calligraphy" that Steve was passionate about, 10 years before he designed the first Macintosh. Back then, he thought it had no hope of any practical applications. Thus Professor Chesterman said that it will not always be possible to predict what subjects will be important. But if you find something about which you are passionate, if it is part of your identity, you may find a way to make it important.

What Professor Chesterman says does ring a little bell for me. I am glad he wrote that article where he elaborated on why students considering a university education should ask themselves whom they want to be, not what they want to be.

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Andy Chiong's Mind Map

Background Story
As part of Ngee Ann Polytechnic's outreach activities, I gave a Mind Mapping workshop to a group of secondary school students on 5 Nov 2004. Andy Chiong was one of the student leaders studying Quality Management and Engineering in Ngee Ann Polytechnic who was helping out with the event management. I remembered him as a hardworking and very humble student. As I was teaching to a  group of students about mind mapping, he was quietly sitting at a corner mind mapping the entire proceedings of the workshop in real-time. When he showed me his colourful and detailed mind map after the workshop, I was certainly extremely happy. The mind map was certainly an excellent recording of the  what I taught during the workshop. 

I wish him well in that, he has really empowered his brain to think radiantly. Not many in the world is able to have that kind of mindset.

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Tony Buzan and My Mind Maps by Lim Choon Boo

INTRODUCTION
I started this post with the aim of having all my mind maps housed under just one post. But after trying various layouts, I decided, it would be best to create another blog just to house all the mind maps that I drew during Tony's lectures. It will be a collection of mind maps that are directly linked to Tony's work, while the other blogs would showcase other mind maps that I drew.

Please click this LINK to be transported to"Tony Buzan and My Mind Map" Blog for my collection of Mind Maps on Tony Buzan courses and lectures

[ LINK to testimonials and recommendations of professionals whom I have the privelege of working with ]

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Revision on Materials Engineering using a Mind Map

It is my usual practice to do a revision using mind maps that are drawn in real-time after completing my lectures on a few topics (Copper, Aluminium and Polymer) with my students. The quick summary of the material I covered enabled them to have an overview of what they have been taught and to help them in their revision of this notoriously boring module (especially, if the student does not have any interests in memorising the properties of materials).

Above two revision mind maps are essentially the same. Each is done for a different class. It is tiring, however, I find it interesting as it allows me the flexibility of going through the subject at a pace suitable for the class. Hope it helps you to see the power of performing real-time mind mapping. You could literally feel the whole class "eye-balls" were following each stroke of the branches connected, each key word written and every diagram drawn. It is a challenge that I find exciting to share with my students.

Some of you may think, it is difficult. However, through proper training, one can overcome these obstacles and eventually be a captivating presenter using mind maps. Enjoy please.

The week beginning 2 December 2012 saw myself completing another two revision mind maps covering Chapters 2, 3 and 4 of Engineering Materials topics for my first year engineering students.

I needed two white boards as shown above to cover about 70-80% of the revision materials in those three chapters within the time constraint of about 1.5hrs. It was considered quite an achievement as I believe it helped the students consolidate what they have learnt during the past seven weeks before their common test on Monday, 10 Dec 2012. I foresaw the need for two medium-sized white boards when I saw the large amount of materials that need to be discussed, otherwise, a large-sized white board as shown below would suffice. It is one of the BIGGEST MIND MAP that I have ever drawn in real time. Enjoy.

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My Mind Map of PM Goh Chok Tong's SQA Speech on 15 July 1998 at Shangri la Hotel

As I was an SQA Assessor for 1997/98, I was invited to the SQA Awards Presentation and Dinner ceremony at Shangri la on 15 July 1998.

I was very excited when I learnt that the Guest-of-Honour was going to be the Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong himself. I have made up my mind to try to mind map his speech. Mentally, I prepared myself by thinking about what he would say during the SQA Awards Presentation. The occasion was just after the 1997 financial crisis. So I read as much information there is about it.

At the same time, I prepared the Central Theme for mind mapping his speech. What should be the image that would best associate this occasion with the PM? Since, it would be delivered by the PM himself, so I decided to draw a portrait of the PM next to the SQA Trophy.

The night of the award came. I was a bit nervous as I knew I have only one chance to mind map his speech. To my amazement, I managed to surprisingly summarise most of the key points of his speech on my mind map. I believe, it was due to my preparation for this important real-time mind mapping of the PM's speech. I subsequently went up to the PM and requested for his autograph on my mind map. PM was very obliging and I thanked him.

I was indeed very happy to be the owner of the only real-time mind-mapped speech of a Prime Minister.

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My Mind Map on the 26th SIM Annual Management Lecture by Dr John Naisbitt on 23rd Aug 2007

Mind Map on Dr John Naisbitt's talk drawn in real-time.

1. I was delighted to be invited to the 26th AML organised by the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) on Thursday, 23 Aug 2007 at Raffles City Convention Centre. The speaker was Dr John Naisbitt (International Best-selling author of Megatrends and Megatrends 2000) and he spoke on the topic of "Mindsets to See the Future - The Next Big Thing".
2. Excited, I started to make my own preparations like drawing his portrait as part of the central image for the A3-sized mind map that I was determined to do in real-time as I had done for many past prominent speakers and lectures.
3. Subsequently, I was lucky that the real-time mind map summary of the talk including the discussion that followed at the end of the lecture turned out to be quite presentable. The attached picture above shows the autographed mind map by Dr John Naisbitt.
4. After the lecture, I found that the lecture that he gave was actually a summary of his book on "MindSet". I was elated and did a short review of his book.

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