Resource 2: How mind maps can help mathematics teachers and pupils

 Background information / subject knowledge for teacher

Mind maps can help mathematics teachers to:

• plan sections of the syllabus, topic and lessons in a way that is coherent and systematic;
• identify and plan activities;
• introduce new concepts to pupils in an interesting way;
• promote better understanding of concepts;
• focus pupils’ attention on key aspects of a learning programme;
• facilitate learning for tests and examinations;
• organise information that pupils are able to identify and relate to;
• help find out pupil’s misconceptions;
• evaluate pupils’ understanding of concepts and topics;
• plan remedial teaching;
• determine how much of a topic is understood

Because concept maps can be drawn by pupils themselves they are a useful tool for learner centred education.

Mind maps can help pupils to:

• summarise their knowledge of a topic and give an overview;
• help order topics according to their importance and relevance;
• determine how much of a topic is understood;
• reveal any misconceptions of a topic;
• link new ideas with previously learned material’
• show the prior knowledge of a topic’
• reduce doubt so that the pupils knows what to study and what to leave out.