Study Tips

I am always looking for useful tools our students can use to enhance their work and studies at BLCS.  Recently I ran across a small book titled “Quantum Note-Taker” by Bobbi DePorter.  This short, but useful book teaches two things:  (1)  How to take notes using both sides of your brain and (2) how to use Mind Mapping to increase the effectiveness your notes and remembering more of what you study.

This book peaked my interest since I have been using Mind Mapping for years.  Mind Mapping was developing by a researcher named Tony Buzan more than 20 years ago.  He set out to find how the brain learns, remembers and develops.  He found traditional, linear models of learning were counterproductive.  The brain simply was not designed to learn in that way.  What also peaked my interest is that Mind Mapping will start in the middle of the page and develop thoughts and ideas clockwise around the main topic – just like how the Jewish Talmud is designed.  Maybe Tony Buzan discovered what the Rabbis have known for centuries.  Your guess is as good as mine. 

More effective notes and Mind Mapping can improve what you receive and retain from your lectures at BLCS.  Personally, I do something similar with every sermon and teaching I hear.  Once you get the hang of Mind Maps, you can use them for other things, such as (1) brainstorming, (2) organizing notes for essays, articles and books, and (3) project planning.  The uses are almost endless.

Here is the link at Amazon.Com for the book on the Quantum Note-Taker by Bobbi DePorter

Here is the link for the book “Using Both Sides of Your Brain” by Tony Buzan.  (A good introduction to how the brain learns, how to speed up your reading and using Mind Maps.)