Useful tools

A boy in 2E3 made my day when he shared me about his search for a good mind-mapping software and introduced me to iMindmap, the only mind-mapping software endorsed by Tony Buzan himself. I shared my own mind-mapping experience with the class a few months ago and told them how I wished I had discovered this tool much earlier in my schooling life as it had really benefited me. I am of course very glad that someone in the class had gone the extra mile to explore the mind-mapping opportunities in the digital world, and I hope that his journey into the mind-mapping world will empower him in many ways.

I discovered mind-mapping techniques in my early twenties and took to it straight away. So intuitive, simple and effective. These tools are really important, and another gem which I had discovered only in these couple of years is none other than GTD (Getting Things Done). I introduced the method only to my Sec 4 pupils and the most conscientious ones are still using them, telling me that they find it to be useful in collecting and tracking what they have to do. Their post-its manner of implementing the system is not ideal and many could have abandoned this method due to its low tech hassle. Those who persevered obviously tasted the pleasure of the method's usefulness, and had hung on to it till it became habit.

A quick dabble into iMindmap's organic expression that mimics hand drawn maps.

Mindmaps and GTD. Certainly my top 2 favourite tools in managing my thoughts. They are completely applicable to pupils and are definitely things best learnt when young.