Eclectic Technology

There are many mind mapping tools available to use, and MindMaple is new to me. There is a light version available at no cost, or you can spend $9.99 per year for the professional.

Why use mind maps? It "allows users to represent abstract ideas in a concrete, visible way that encourages conceptual thinking."

This post shows 3 mind maps, all of which are from the lite version. They are  also running a contest through June 27, 2012. Create "the most creative mind map with MindMaple" and win a $250 Amazon.com gift card.

“Workplace technology has evolved dramatically since the first stone tools were used 2.6 million years ago. Back then the amount of information our brains had to process was minimal...as workplace technology advanced through the ages this data increased dramatically, culminating in the digital age & information overload we are faced with today…Can new technology which visualizes information provide a solution…?”
From a Data Digest Report published by Mindjet:
The initial study included 2,000 office workers. A “scientific sample of 12 participants that took part in the study over 4 days were fully conversant with all tested software…the research investigated differences in individual & team performance using visual mapping software compared to traditional office software.”
The experiment results of the individual tasks found:
* On an individual level, workers using visual mapping techniques used on average nearly 20% less cognitive resources compared to when using equivalent traditional software…
* Participants using visual mapping software were 17% more productive...and able to recall 4.5 per cent more details…
Group results
* Groups collaborating on a project used on average 10% less cognitive resources…
* By using visual mapping software, groups were 8% more productive…
* Participants working in groups were able to recall 6.5% more data when using visual mapping compared with traditional techniques…
The study may be accessed through a link on the infographic page.