Here are some resources you might find useful in stimulating creativity and innovation.
Mind Mapping Information - Bob Pike attributes Mind Mapping to Evelyn Wood, who used it in the 50's but Tony Buzan claims it his invention. Whatever.
Some simple thoughts on mind maps
- Be creative. Creativity aids retention and builds context
- Use simple or individual words or images
- Use colored pens or pencil to make it more visual
- Use lines, arrows, circles, boxes and other visual / contextual aids
- Start from the center of the page and work around, with the center the main theme
- Create sub-centers for sub-themes, as many as make sense
- Key words go on lines to add structure
- P-r-i-n-t
- Random association is quite powerful -- don't stay in one place if it makes sense to shift. Associations may or may not be sequential
- Put ideas down as they occur, all of them no matter how "bad" since the latter may stimulate a new and better thought later
Here are some links to resources you might find of use -- I like to teach this process by using Square Wheels One as the initial image and let people develop their links and themes off the illustration. It is a good individual and/or group activity.
MindMapper is some software for creativity but their Home Page offers some information about the process - www.mindmapper.com/
Click here for an explanation of mind mapping. They have removed their demo version of their software for the Macintosh for upgrading so I cannot evaluate.
Nice explanation, with graphics, of the process - www.advanced.org/tqnew/web/tqguide2/mindmapping.html
How to Use Mind Mapping - www.therivernetwork.co.uk/p0000010.htm
Introduction to Mind Mapping - http://braindance.com/bdimmap1.htm
The Buzan Center of Montreal writes about the process (click here)
Imagination and Creativity Links
The Imagination Institute - Nice "New Age" site with lots of information and links - www.imagination-institute.com/
Some thinking on Creativity - www.advanced.org/tqnew/web/tqguide2/creativity.html
Extensive links to Creativity sites: www.maekawa.is.uec.ac.jp/research/eunice/internal/bookmarks/42.html
Creativity Web - Links and Information - www.ozemail.com.au/~caveman/Creative/index2.html
1st Spot Mind Tech Site - lots of links and information - www.1st-spot.net/topic_mindtech.html
Mind Brain Links - www.tiac.net/users/seeker/brainlinks.html
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