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Positives:
Negatives:
Interesting:
- Easy tool to get children to critically think.
- Thinking Maps can be extended into other Thinking Maps. For example: A Circle Map can be extended into a Bubble Map, and then into a Tree Map, to expand and delve deeper into thinking.
- Can be used at any stage of the learning process.
- Can be used as an assessment tool.
- Summarises skills.
- Simple way to organise ideas and information.
- Shows information visually.
- Once children have been taught how to create and use Thinking Maps, it gives them access to a range of ways to show their thinking. It represents where they have, or will get their information from, which helps with assessment for teachers.
- Each Thinking Map has a specific purpose.
Negatives:
- These maps require a lot of teaching for students to create them effectively.
- The right map needs to be used for the intended information.
- Some children may find them annoying to draw.
- Can take a long time to draw the maps which could be used for hands on activities
- If children are not visual thinkers, these maps could create more confusion.
- Students can be limited for space when creating a Double Bubble Map.
- Ideas have to fit in the 'bubble'.
Interesting:
- That Thinking Maps are useful for those learning the English language.
- Some students may not like working with Thinking Maps and therefore a teacher needs to show them that there are other ways to display or articulate their thinking processes.
- Forcing a student to do them when they don’t like doing them will mean they will not learn. We need to personalise each child’s learning and see what works for each individual.
- Some of the Thinking Maps are universal and can be used in different contexts.