Studying Online;Succeeding through Distance Learning at University

Figure 4.4 
A sample mind map 

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Online notetaking 69 
add detail to their mind maps when they use online mind map-
ping software. Tis detail can be hidden by the software so that 
you merely see the overall visual efect, only being able to view 
the details when you click on the appropriate button. When draw-
ing mind maps, you are encouraged to use pictures and diferent 
colours as well as symbols and emojis as these help recall. Many 
studies have been conducted showing the benefts of mind maps. 
However, not everyone likes them, especially students who think 
sequentially rather than visually. Even so, research has shown that 
mind maps increase the motivation to learn (Aleksić et al., 2011). 
Hence they are worth considering, even if your main notes are 
constructed separately. Te use of mind maps can help you con-
solidate information and make the subject appear “whole” as the 
map summarises an entire topic. 
QUICK TIP: Even if you think you won’t like mind maps, give 
them a trial. Once people have used mind maps for even a 
short while, they often see value in them. 
Concept maps 
A concept map is similar to a mind map. Indeed, most of the mind 
mapping software programs can also create concept maps. Te 
critical diference, though, is that a concept map is hierarchical. 
In addition, concept maps are text-only with no imagery. As a 
result, a concept map is helpful to see the relationships between 
items and topics. You can see a concept map in Figure 4.5. For 
online learning, you may fnd that a concept map is best used as 
a revision aid rather than a notetaking method for learning new 
material. It is the kind of diagram that you can produce once you 
understand a topic. 
SQ3R notes 
Another form of notetaking that is popular with university stu-
dents is known as “SQ3R”. Tis stands for Survey, Question, Read, 

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