Application Of Mind Maps To The Study Of Physics

Mind maps, as a graphic tool, are a very good learning strategy. They can be used to organize and introduce ideas, form knowledge structures and group ideas into clusters, thus easier for memorization. Due to their characteristics in shapes and discrimination, mind maps serve as an effective learning strategy in learning narrative knowledge.This paper copes with two aspects of mind maps as a learning strategy, one in learning physics and one in teaching physics. The author first paper gives a detailed analysis of the present situation of the strategies that high school students adopt in learning physics, especially the strategy of taking notes and learning narrative knowledge. Surveys show that more attention is paid to the practice of exercises instead of the learning of narrative knowledge and its construction. Via a wide range of theoretical study, the author proposes the feasibility of the mind-map strategy in learning narrative knowledge. The author applies the mind-map strategy to the concrete procedures of learning, i.e. previewing, attending classes and review, thus summarizes the use of the mind-map strategy in specific procedures as well as general approaches and steps of instruction.Teaching practice shows that the mind-map strategy helps students establish a good cognitive structure, and develops the students' ability in thinking and learning autonomy, thus contributing to their learning of physics. The mind-map strategy proves to be more effective when combined with special lectures plus classroom presentation.