Mind-Genius and Mathematics

What I am really enjoying about my distance learning journey, is the fact that I am discovering new things about myself all the time.  I have been able to try out and eliminate, any unhelpful learning strategies, that don't help me to achieve my goals.

When I studied maths with the O.U, last academic year; I discovered that whilst I found the details and elements of the actual maths, relatively easy to handle, intellectually; I did find that I would struggle to remember set solution methods to problems and also I would also keep loosing track of how one bit of maths, fitted in with another.

This led to some wasted study time, having to revisit maths I had already examined, because I hadn't gained a holistic view of the subject.

Now, I have dyslexia.  And, the experts say, and I tend to agree with them, that dyslexics need to think in terms of connections, and that they learn more effectively, if they are able to 'hang' details from the branches of the whole subject.  That is, in order to keep track of the details and to learn them completely, we need to know the bigger picture, and how these details slot into that image.

One of the best ways for this to be done, is through the use of mindmaps, as developed by Tony Buzan many years ago.

However, the problem with mindmaps is that they can be a devil to produce.  This tends to mean that the creation of the map, can be a pain in the backside, that gets in the way of your study subject.

However, I have been trialling a piece of software called MindGenius 4, which is an important discovery for me, particularly as it fits my 'dyslexic' way of viewing the world.

I have enclosed a link for info purposes only, as I don't receive money for sending you there.  There are alternative mindmap software's that I have tried, but they aren't as easy to use, as this one.  I would encourage anyone to shop around and find what fits for them.

I won't bore you with the details, as anyone that is intrigued, can download a 30day trial for free and try it out.  But, it basically allows you to create mindmaps, as quick as you can type and press return.  It also collects and orders into mindmaps, any references and research material.  Thus, it is also useful for creating a thesis or essay.

What this has allowed me to do, is to split my study time and study focus, between three aspects.  These are; gaining a holistic view of a study unit, learning the detail and also doing example questions.  I have found that learning the whole before delving into the detail, has meant that by the time I come to do the detail, I have a solid grasp and good memory retention, of the subject matter in hand.

Just as an example to illustrate my method, is my study of M208, Intro block A:

1.  Mindmap created of the main subsection topics, including any definitions of theorems or other equations. (Time taken a very rapid, 1hr).

2.  Entire unit book scan read and all facts and sentences that need to be remembered or studied, are highlighted. (Again, a rapid 2hrs.  The art is not to get bogged down in the text; just keep moving and highlighting!)

3.  Review of the mindmap is now done for 10 minutes before each subsequent study period.

4.  Mindmap review followed by careful revision of the highlighted text (four periods of 2hrs each).

5.  Detailed review of the mindmap (1hr).

6.  Getting to grips with the example questions from the Unit.  The aim is to repeat all the examples until I can achieve 100% accuracy without referring to the answers.

All in all it should take me 14hrs per week, allowing another 2-4hrs for sticking points or units that are more taxing.

Simples!