Using mindmapping as part of an information literacy strategy

1
Using mindmapping aspart of an information
literacy strategy

• Sheila Webber
• University of Sheffield
• Department of Information Studies
• November 2003

2
How might mindmapping help address the problem?
What is the problem?
Conclusions
Structure
Mindmapping - what how used?
Information Literacy class
Examples
Background
3
What is the problem?
4
for this need?
What is the information need?
What strategy is best?
If it doesnt work, what do I do?
for this source?
Which is the best source?
5
Confused which is which?
Unaware of uses
Poor knowledge of sources
Lack of domain knowledge
Problems
Little search reformulation
Poor search strategy
Few keywords
Make mistakes
Little use of modifiers
Lost!
Dont read Help
6
Solutions?
7
?
8

• What is a strategy?
• What is a concept?
• What is a source?

Forget it!
Lets type the words you first thought of into
Google!
9
Mindmapping
10
Right Left Brain
Rhythm Spatial awareness Gestalt (whole
picture) Imagination Daydreaming Colour Dimension
Words Logic Numbers Sequence Linearity Analysis Li
sts
11
Basic steps

• Drop main concept, idea, question into the centre
  of a piece of paper
• Draw thick lines for the main themes
• Concentrate on single words or short phrases, or
  use images (instead of words)
• Draw thinner branches for sub-themes
• Use colour
• Identify links between branches

12
Creativity
Ideas
Expression
Linkages
Words
subthemes
Themes
Mindmapping
subthemes
Typography
Impact
Colour
Lines
13
Mindmapping information literacy
Generics
Specifics

• Note making and summarising
• Essays and presentations
• Exam revision
• Brainstorming projects, business ideas etc.

• Exploring topics/ concepts
• Brainstorming for searching
• Reference (information) interviewing

14
"Inspiration is a piece of mind-mapping software
that aids question formulation by allowing
students to visualise their thinking processes,
organise and regroup them on screen and add
notes, bibliographic references and live web
links. Diagrams can be turned into outline form,
rearranged and extended into a working essay
plan. It is a tool that motivates Year 7s,
supports post-16 research and can be used for
different reasons by different subjects at all
key stages."
Pen paper, or software
Barrett and Banks (2003)
15
SCONUL 7 pillars of information literacy
Recognise information need
Distinguish ways of addressing gap
Basic Library Skills IT Skills
Construct strategies for locating
Information Literacy
Locate and access
Compare and evaluate
Organise, apply and communicate
Synthesise and create
http//www.sconul.ac.uk/
16
Cape Higher Education Consortium  
http//www.lib.uct.ac.za/infolit/
17
http//www.strongest-links.org.uk/infolit_1_planni
ng.htm
18
Application in an information literacy class
19
Reasoning

• Visualise search problem. Knowledge? Gaps?
  Different at different stages
• Reference point for search terms inc. relevance
  ranking
• Reference point for success of search
• Encourages planning thinking
• Enables interactivity

20
My Information Literacy class

• 1st year BSc Information Management (mostly 18
  years)
• 20 credits (120 in year)
• IL in practice theory, and key skills
• Lecture followed by practical
• Assessed by (10) resource evaluation (50)
  longer portfolio (reflection evidence) (40)
  exam

21
Mindmap elements

• Introductory lecture
• Individual mindmap - search - evaluation of what
  is found
• Group search (prepared over 2 weeks), ending in
  presentation
• Individual search for a classmate -
  implementation reflection (marks)
• Question in exam (marks)

22
Examples
23
(No Transcript)
24
(No Transcript)
25
(No Transcript)
26
(No Transcript)
27
(No Transcript)
28
(No Transcript)
29
Group Members

• Matthew Ashley
• Steve Lam
• Matthew McDonagh
• Mike Jacques
• John Cunneen

30
MMR Mind Map
Long term?
Long term effects
Allergies
Scars
Immunity
Doctors
Side Effects
Seizures
Where
Vaccine
How
Injection
Inflammatory bowel disease
School
MMR Vaccine
Dangers
Mumps
Cause
Virus
Autism
Symptoms
Rubella
Behavioural problems
Measles
Language problems
Cause
Symptoms
Cough / fever
Dangers
Rash
Virus
Sore eyes
31
Final Mind Map
Short term
Long term effects
Allergies
Long term?
Scars
Doctors
Side Effects
Seizures
Immunity
Vaccine
How
H/E
Injection
Where
Crohns disease
School
Affects mainly children some adults
Swollen glands, painful when swallowing
Inflammatory bowel disease
MMR Vaccine
Dangers
Airborne virus spread by coughs,
Mumps
10 Days after some children develop measles
Cause
Virus
Autism
1 in 100,000 children have a severe side affect
to the vaccine
Asthma has been linked.
Rubella
Highly contagious
Symptoms
Behavioural problems
Language problems
Causes rash, fever aching joints.
Measles
Cause
Cough / fever
Dangers
Symptoms
Intellectual impairment
Rash
Virus
Sore eyes
32
Conclusions
33
Impact?

• Are spending more time on this stage
• Visual approach suits some students -adding
  diversity
• Some definitely using it learning
• Makes interaction (classmates lecturer-student)
  easier
• Relational approach

34
Additionally

• May fit in with workplace development activities
  or planning/work practices
• Appropriate to (real) complexity of search
  process - creativity and problem solving

35
s.webber_at_sheffield.ac.ukhttp//ciquest.shef.ac.uk
/infolit/
36

• Barrett, L. and Banks, M. (2003) "Information
  Literacy a crucial role for schools" Library and
  Information Update, 2 (5), 42-44.http//www.cilip
  .org.uk/update/issues/may03/article3may.html
• Dale, A et al (2003) Information it's all in
  the mind. Library and information update, 2 (4),
  30-34.
• Hepworth, M. (2003) "Information literacy from
  the learner's perspective." In Martin, A. and
  Rader, H. (Eds) Information and IT literacy
  enabling learning in the 21st Century. London
  Facet. pp217-233.
• Pollock, A. and Hockley, A. (1997) "What's Wrong
  with Internet Searching" D-lib magazine. March.
  http//www.dlib.org/dlib/march97/bt/03pollock.html
  
• Spink, A. and Ozmultu, C. (2002)
  "Characteristics of question format web queries
  an exploratory study." Information Processing and
  Management, 38, 453-471.

37

• Buzan,T. (1995) The mind map book. Rev. ed.
  London BBC Books.
• Cave, C. (2003) Creativity Web. Sydney Charles
  Cave. http//www.ozemail.com.au/caveman/Creative/
  index2.html
• James Cook University. Mind mapping. Townsville
  James Cook University.http//www.tld.jcu.edu.au/n
  etshare/learn/mindmap/
• Magee, P. (1998) Introduction to mind mapping.
  Braindance.com. http//www.braindance.com/bdimmap1
  .htm