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MindMaps and literature searching for undergraduates. Angela Newton [email protected]. The lingo. MindMaps “…the Swiss army knife for the brain” (Buzan, 1993) Concept maps Brainstorming Radial thinking Knowledge map. The students. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Leeds University Library
MindMaps and literature searching for undergraduates
Angela Newton
Leeds University Library
The lingo
MindMaps– “…the Swiss army knife for the brain”
(Buzan, 1993) Concept maps Brainstorming Radial thinking Knowledge map
Leeds University Library
The students Second year Environment students writing a mini dissertation
on a pre-defined topic Prior IL sessions at Level 1:
– Introduction to using the Library– Introduction to using Web of Science
Short attention span! Keen on web resources! Not good at exploring unknown databases! “Many students skip over the planning stage of a search,
and are poor at selecting the right sources and search terms.” (Webber 2002)
Leeds University Library
Topics Is the Montreal Protocol Working? Realities of land degradation in Africa Environmental influences on benthic macro-
invertebrates Economic growth and environmental quality Linking Global Thinking with Local Action in the Food
System Corporate social responsibility Attitudes to sustainability Environmental management and sustainability in the
public sector
Leeds University Library
Aims of the session
Engage students in planning & executing a literature search – Thinking about keywords– Talking to one another about their subject– Trying some new search techniques (e.g.
Boolean)– Exploring new databases
Give them inspiration and practical help for their assessment, a mini dissertation
Leeds University Library
Solution
MindMaps help to construct keywords prior to database searching
Group work to combat boredom and create discussion
Small room (22 workstations) to make the session more manageable
x3 practical tasks in 15 minute chunks
Leeds University Library
Materials for the workshop
PowerPoint slides Example of a complete MindMap on a
generic topic (A3) MindMap for each dissertation topic with
some basic starting points (A3) Worksheet with instructions for each task Referencing leaflet Post-its
Leeds University Library
Advantages of using MindMaps in literature searching
Easy to explain and easy to do No right or wrong answers Novelty No special equipment required Creates discussion Fosters creative thinking Must be done with paper and pen Easy to see what they know and where the gaps in their
knowledge are Non-linear thinkers Colourful Dynamic
Leeds University Library
Problems with the workshop
Non-visual thinkers may struggle with MindMaps
Requires energy and enthusiasm (even at 9am on a Friday morning!)
Students need to turn up in groups Only one copy of the map per group Can require a lot of preparation
Leeds University Library
I’m more confident about…
I’m still not very confident about…
Leeds University Library
Student feedback
(I feel) Much more confident however, didn't realise how unconfident I actually was.
I feel fairly confident with all of the tasks in today's session and feel comfortable with using these research methods for my future work.
Still not very confident in choosing a database.
Leeds University Library
Old dog, new tricks
Literature searching Problem solving Making a visual representation of an
organisational structure Report writing Minute taking Revision Creating presentations