Some advice for brainstorming education dissertation topics


When you are brainstorming education dissertation topics it can be very helpful for you to use the concept of mind mapping to start the brainstorming process and land on a topic you truly enjoy. Mind mapping uses a diagram as a visual outline for information. In lieu of brainstorming or taking notes, mind mapping starts with a central idea or word which is literally placed in the center from which related ideas or words are added. The central node encompasses the major categories and all sub-categories act as sub-branches from this node. Each category is indicative of a task, word, idea, or item related to the central idea.

Traditional note taking encourages readers to scan the page from left to right and from top to bottom. However, it is natural for the cerebral hemispheres to scan in the opposite manner, in a non-linear manner. Traditional note taking actually goes against our natural reading and learning. Instead, a concept map, or mind map, offers a more natural structure.

When you are creating a mind map it is important that you begin in the center of your page with the main idea. This idea should be displayed in the form of an image. There should also be three colors used, at minimum. Throughout the mind mapping process it is imperative that you incorporate dimensions, codes, images, and symbols. The keywords you select should be printed with a combination of upper case letters and lower case letters. Every subsequent word or image associated with the main word should be placed on its own line which grows from the main image.

All of the lines drawn need to connect. The lines from the center should be the thickest and each line should get thinner as it radiates from the center. Meaning, if you have an second tier associated image branching from the main idea, it should be connected with a line slightly thinner than a keyword associated with the third tier associated image. The lines should each remain the same length as the idea they are supporting. In order to group ideas and utilize visual stimulation you should incorporate many colors in the map. Of course, the process of mind mapping may use the same structure or theory, but it works best when you develop a personal style. You should maintain a clear numerical order, radial hierarchy, or outline to keep organization in the map and you should clearly see emphasis or associations.

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