Creativity in the curriculum

LEARNING MATS

Sue Morgan, ICT Consultant

MIND MAPPING

Aims

• Understand how to use and create mind maps (revisit?)

• Be able to use Inspiration to create mind maps

• To have an overview of the purpose of learning mats and their construction

• To begin to create learning mats to support science work

Bellwork

Write down

• One thing you are comfortable with about the day

• One thing which is outside your comfort zone!

What is mind mapping

• Easy way to get information into and out of the brain

• Brain friendly way of making notes (of ideas) and taking notes (of information)

• Made up of WORDS, colours,

lines and PICTURES

Why do mind maps?

Mind maps can help you to:

• Remember better

• Organise thinking better

• Have more ideas

• Making learning more enjoyable

• Make better use of time

Why is it brain-friendly?

Close your eyes and remember your last holiday…..

the places you visited…

people you met….

the things you did….

Because……….

• We don’t think in straight lines, our thoughts take us all over the place, radiating in all directions

• We think in colours and pictures

• Writing in straight lines is a left-brain activity

Left & right brains

Words

Logic

Syntax

Sequence

Linearity

Analysis

Lists

Details

Rhythm

Awareness

Imagination

Images

Colour

Daydreaming

Dimension

Whole context

How does mind mapping help?

• The brain works best when both hemispheres function in harmony

• Mind mapping combines the words, order of things and details with images and colour – ‘BIG PICTURE’

• Many children can only learn well when they know the whole context

• Mind maps keep you focussed on the main idea and all the additional ideas

• Radiant notes can be turned into linear writing

Structure of Mind maps

• Expression of Radiant Thinking• Powerful graphic technique• Subject as central image• Main themes radiate from central image as

branches• Topics of lesser importance represented as

branches attached to higher level branches• The branches form a connected nodal

structure

Exercise 1: Brainstorming Words

Exercise 2: Brainstorming images

Inspiration Software

14

Learning Through Learning Mats

Creating the supportive

learning environment

Big Picture

Outcomes

Input through VAK

Activity through multiple intelligences

Demonstration

Review and Recall

Connect the learning

• To have an overview of the purpose of learning mats and their construction

• To begin to create learning mats to support science work

• Learning mats are part of the learning environment for the subject area• They create a ‘safe’ environment by providing context and support in

advance of the learning

• Learning mats help pupils to connect to previous learning, provide them with the big picture, provide reminders of key information

• They can be a starting point for learning and identify other sources of information

• Learning mats enable pupils to check their own progress against learning outcomes and through a topic

• Provide a tool for reviewing learning

Construction of Mats

• Left brain learners side– Linear with use of

words– Prefer a step by

step approach– Order and

sequencing

• Right brained learners side– Presents the

whole picture

Items to Include

• A concept map to give the whole picture

• Key learning points and outcomes

• Key vocabulary, messages and images

• Exemplification of ideas• Useful web sites

Get Practical

• Pick a science theme/topic

• Plan the content

• Find web sites

• Create a concept map for your theme

• Add the rest of the content