Mind Maps As Classroom Exercises

A Mind Map is an outline in which the major categories radiate from a central image and lesser categories are portrayed as branches of larger branches. The author describes an in-class exercise in which small groups of students each create a Mind Map for a specific topic. This exercise is another example of an active and collaborative learning tool that instructors can use to move beyond "chalk and talk." The exercise can also help incorporate activities for diverse learning styles into economics courses and can reenergize a course in midsemester. The author provides ideas for Mind Map topics for a wide variety of economics courses.