I've been mindmapping for the last 19 years of my life, and still, I find that it really depends on what you want to use it for. When structuring thought, such as a presentation, comedy act, etc, it helps a great deal. But, if you want to fully recall everything on the map, you will need to apply some memory strategies to this.
Having taught close to 150,000 students regarding this in Asia, I've found that many people who can't handle mindmaps have beliefs that prevent them from using the tool effectively. Here's what I typically tell them to do, so that whatever notes they use has practical benefit.
#1 - Ensure you have pictures.
This boosts recall, and engages more right-brain activity (all things being constant)
#2 - Use multiple colors.
#3 - Consider natural associations in the subject: linear or radial?
Mindmaps are radial tools. Flowcharts are linear tools. Philosophy is less linear in certain respects relative to mathematics.
#4 - Make the images, pictures and other drawings OUTstanding.
This aids in memory
#5 - Make sure that the notes give an overview - i.e. you can see everything at a glance rather than pockets of words in different slips of paper. You still need all the content on that sheet of paper. And yes, its possible to condense (not summarize) 20 pages of Letter-sized page content into a single sheet.
#6 - Keywords. Key phrases help us to focus and get the result we see in #5.
I use software too for my presentations, but I use Mind Manager from MindJet.com. I think it might be a little more versatile. |