AMMAN - For those who suffer from poor memory and lack focus, a new technique that maps out the use of the human brain is offering hope.
Some 130 school and university students, along with parents and teachers, recently participated in a conference on the practice conducted by author and specialist Tony Buzan.Buzan is no stranger to struggling with memory. His memorisation troubles as a university student encouraged him to begin researching and eventually publishing on what is now known as mind-mapping.
Mind-mapping is a technique based on images and associations as a means to develop one's memory, starting with a simple image at the centre. Mind-mapping occurs when one branches out with words that elaborate on the main image, and then branches out even further. This organised approach is to assist in recalling and mastering information.
Children, in particular, often are afflicted with short-attention spans and struggle with information overload and poor time management skills, seriously undermining the learning process.
"I can't remember things," said six-year-old Abdullah, echoing a challenge that faces the human brain at all ages.
According to Buzan, children will no longer suffer from such barriers if they understand how the mind works.
"The only problem is feeding ourselves the wrong food for the brain," said Buzan, the author of some 95 books.
"We use less than one per cent of our brain, and most of the time, children and adults alike do not concentrate and underperform at school and at work because they are not stimulated," he noted, adding that the two sides of the human brain work differently.
The left side of the brain deals with words, numbers, lines, lists, logic and analysis, while the right side is used to appreciate music, understand shapes and colours as well as day dreaming, Buzan told the gathering, pointing out that the two sides overlap to achieve learning.
"Each side of the brain talks to the other, and they get stronger," Buzan said, highlighting the importance of the two sides working together to achieve creativity.
Drawing colourful mind maps on different topics, such as animals or aircraft parts, can help people remember and retract data, a skill that is usually difficult for many people. Using mind maps, one can condense so much information.
"Use a mind map, save a tree; use mind maps, save a forest," he noted, adding that through the technique, people can remember numbers and speed read.
"For speed reading, use a guide," Buzan told participants, such as a pen, underlining the importance of speed reading "and not slow reading" as a means of understanding.
Yazan Hatamleh, chairman of Sanaya Human Capital, which organised the event, said that mind-mapping could greatly benefit the Kingdom's main resource, human capital.Established in 2006, Sanaya is a private share -holding company which focuses on training, human resources consulting and recruiting services.
By Abeer Nouman
© Jordan Times 2008
