Mind Maps: Pixels or Paper? The Great Debate Unfolds!

 

Photo Credit: Raphaela Brandner (meisertask.com)

Ever since the advent of BYOD and eventually district provided WMD's (Wireless Mobile Devices) the debate and research about paper based versus digital based instructional has been a hot topic. Lets take a look at the debate from a context of mind mapping. 

Mind Maps 

What has not been a debate is the effectiveness of Mind Maps. In Paul Farrand's 2002 study on mind maps (click here for article) he found that mind maps have some of the highest efficacy rates of all of the instructional strategies for learners who have emerged into formal operational development. Farrand did note however that, "before mind maps are generally adopted as a study technique, consideration has to be given towards ways of improving motivation among users." With the advent of digital social media (knowledge sharing) and the robust ways in which to motivate learners in the digital age (Click here for Blog about digital badges), what is exactly is the debate for paper based assignments?

The debate: Pixels or Paper

The research data is not as clear cut as one might think in the debate of digital assignments vs paper based. Giuseppe Marano et. al. studied the the neuroscience behind handwriting vs typing assignments.  In the article (click for article)  the researchers found that, "Handwriting involves the complex coordination of fine motor skills... the act of writing stimulates the brain to connect motor activates with cognitive process.  Conversely, Typing relies on finger movements over a keyboard (and) does not demand sensory-motor integration."

However, as Farrand noted, motivation to do paper based mind mapping is low.  For a learner to map out concepts requires a high level of organizing and structuring knowledge as well as high levels of critical thinking and problem solving skills is a daunting task. 

Conclusion

The research for the benefits of Mind Maps for learners is clear: it works.  The neuroscience on handwritten vs digital interactions is also very clear but motivation to do such things is also clearly low.  if you are on a short timeline and need to use a handwritten Mind Map, then by all means, use it.  However, if you have the time to do BOTH handwritten brainstorming and digital, consider the advantages of the digital Mind Maps integrated after the handwritten "rough drafts" have been made.

Advantages of Digital Mind Maps:

• Flexibility and Editability: Digital tools allow for easy editing, rearrangement, expansion, and collapsing of information, which is more challenging with paper. This can save time and effort, especially for students who want to refine their maps.
• Collaboration: Many digital mind mapping tools facilitate collaborative work, which can be beneficial for group projects in the classroom.
• Rich Media Integration: Digital mind maps can easily incorporate images, links, and other multimedia elements, potentially making them more engaging and comprehensive.
• Accessibility: Cloud-based digital mind maps can be accessed from various devices and locations.
• Pre-made Templates: Digital tools often offer templates, which can be helpful for students who struggle with the initial setup or prefer a structured approach