For every problem there is a solution…but actually getting to that solution can be hard.
Brainstorming is the key to working through a problem, breaking down your ideas and finding the best way to solve an issue. Brainstorming is by far the most important step to solving any problem and it is even more effective when done using Mind Maps. That’s one of the reasons we decided to start ExamTime – so you can brainstorm using Mind Maps, online and for free!
Benefits of Brainstorming:
- Improved problem-solving
- Better decision-making
- Find optimal solutions
- In-depth analysis
- Goes beyond task level planning
- Visual organization
Brainstorming needs to be a spontaneous, creative process where your ideas build off of one another, working backwards until you understand how to solve the problem. That’s why Mind Maps are so effective, because they create a visual landscape of the your ideas so you can look at the root cause(s) of the problem.
Two Methods of Brainstorming
1. Brainstorming Individually:
Brainstorming by yourself means that you have total control over the ideas generated. Brainstorming individually also eliminates any possibility of group bias. For example, a group bias may mean that the members of your team aren’t willing to speak up resulting in unchallenged ideas and poor decision making.
It also gives you total freedom to brainstorm wherever you feel is best – maybe on the bus to school or at home in your pajamas – either way, you decide. This can be highly influential since everyone feels inspired in different places or at different times. When you’re the only one brainstorming, there’s no concern for poor planning or struggling to find a time that suits everyone – hello productivity!
Get started brainstorming with ExamTime’s Mind Map tool!
2) Brainstorming with a Team:
Brainstorming as a group is highly effective for problem-solving simply because of the combined brain power and the greater number of ideas brought forward. Each member of the team brings their own, different perspective to the issue at hand, which then translates into more solutions.
A great strategy when starting brainstorming, is to get each member of the team to brainstorm alone first and then have everyone bring their ideas together. Brainstorming can also be a highly effective tool to develop a strong sense of camaraderie in a team because it gives everyone a sense of responsibility and motivates them to work that little bit harder.
When to Use A Mind Map:
- Writing: Brainstorming your ideas for your final paper
- Memorizing: For example, outlining all the characters in Rome & Juliet
- Breakdown: Makes it easier to remember all the parts of the cell
- Planning: Make sure not to miss any detail when planning your next essay
- Organize: Make it easier to wrap your head around all the content covered in a semester
Check out one of our other posts to learn How to Create a Mind Map to Connect Ideas.
With ExamTime’s Mind Maps, you can organize all your thoughts, connect your ideas and gain an in-depth understanding of any concept – all conveniently saved on our site. Not to mention, our Groups feature allows you to collaborate with your friends, peers and classmates so you can be inspired by other people’s creative and colourful Mind Maps.
Brainstorming with a Mind Map not only allows you to identify what the problem is and how it affects other areas, it can also help show you why the problem started in the first place.
About the GoConqr Blog
Our blog is part of GoConqr, a Free Learning Platform for Creating, Sharing & Discovering Learning Resources that help students and teachers achieve their learning objectives. Click here to start creating Mind Maps, Flashcards, Notes, Quizzes, Slides Flowcharts & Courses now!
