Caitlin Durnin's Idea Map - Working Knowledge

The Tipping Point

Jenna Halverson's Idea Map - The Big Switch

Jeni Arbuckle's Idea Map - The Necessary Revolution

These Idea Maps make 29 examples in this experiment (initiated by Dr. Tim Schweizer in the fall of 2009) which is following students at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. The October 23, 2009 posting first introduced this series and the October 28, 2009 post puts this experiment in context. Read those postings for background or search on “Luther College” in this blog for other examples.

Today’s idea mapping examples come from four students (top to bottom): Caitlin Durnin who provided her reflections on the book Working Knowledge by Thomas Davenport and Laurence Prusak, The Tipping Point (don’t know who created this Idea Map) by Malcolm Gladwell, next Jenna Halverson shares her reflections on The Big Switch by Nicholas Carr, and lastly Jeni Arbuckle shares her reflections on The Necessary Revolution by Peter Senge, Bryan Smith, Nina Kruschwitz, and Joe Laur.

Caitlin had this to say about Idea Mapping: Idea mapping was easy for me.  I think the use of colors and images helps me remember the notes I am taking in various parts of the idea map.  I used an idea map to help me plan out a paper in a different class and it helped me prepare for the paper and know what I’m actually going to write better.  It also was nice to use an idea map for my paper because you can put the thoughts in any order and change that or add ideas in at any time and still be able to organize it when you write the paper without your map looking messed up.  With an outline if you go to change or add something in, your outline could get very messy.

Thanks to all who shared! This is the final post for Tim’s Fall 2009 students. Soon you’ll get to start seeing his 2010 student examples.