Sáng kiến kinh nghiệm The application of mind mapping technique by using digital technology to enhance 10th graders’ speaking skills at Dien Chau 3 high school

 quality of speaking ability. It is an effective way that students can develop their 
creativity, so that it can improve the speaking skill perfectly. 
For the above reasons, this study sought to explore if learners can grow out of the 
aforementioned difficulties by engaging in mind mapping. The researcher decided 
to carry out the topic: “THE APPLICATION OF MIND MAPPING 
TECHNIQUE BY USING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE 10th 
GRADERS’ SPEAKING SKILLS AT DIEN CHAU 3 HIGH SCHOOL” 
1.2. Aims of the Research 
The purpose of this study is to conduct a study which serves the following aims: 
- To enhance students’ critical thinking skills by encouraging students to make 
connection between different ideas and explore different perspective by using mind 
mapping. 
- To develop students’ communication skills by encouraging students to present 
their ideas in a clear and concise way. 
- To explore the improvement of students in learning speaking skills after a period 
of applying mind map to the learning and teaching process. 
1.3. Scope of the Study 
The research only attempted to discover the issues relating to speaking skills. It 
therefore focused on improving the students' speaking skills through mind maps. 
The skills that were covered in this study, mind mapping is an easy way to place 
information to brain and take the information out from brain, it is creative and 
effective way to write and will map your mind by a simple way. Mind mapping is 
good for students, because the more they learn the material, the greater they need 
to condense and simplify it in a form that is easy to learn. 
For the above reasons, this study focused on using mind mapping to improve the 
speaking skills for 10th graders at High Schools. 
1.4. Organization of the Study 
The study is divided into three parts as follow: 
Part 1: Introduction 
Introduction presents the basic information including rationale, aims, scope, and 
the organization of the study. 
Part 2: Content 
This part provides the theoretical background of the topic with an overview of the 
speaking skills, definition of mind map and the relevant approaches, studies. It also 
conducts a survey to discover the effect of mind map to enhance students’ ability 
in speaking skills. The data collected from the survey are quantitatively and 
qualitatively analyzed. In this part, the focus will be on the attitude of students in 
 2 PART 2: CONTENT 
2.1. Literature Review 
2.1.1. Definitions of Mind Mapping 
Mind mapping is the concept which identifies an oral or written text, by the 
psychologist Tony Buzan in 1960s. Buzan (2006) claims that, mind mapping is a 
technique of making outline which is used to represent words, ideas, tasks or 
another link to an around central key word or ideas. In other words, it is a visual 
technique that helps organize and structure information. It involves creating a 
diagram that represents the relationships between ideas, concepts, and information. 
It involves creating a diagram that represents the relationship between different 
ideas, concepts, and information. Mind mapping allows users to easily identify and 
connect ideas, making it an effective tool for brainstorming, note-taking, problem-
solving, and planning. It works by taking information from several sources and 
displaying this information as key words in a bright, colorful manner. Mind maps 
have been described as a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other 
items (in different colors, pictures) linked to and arranged around a central key 
word or idea. These tools are simply a way to visualize a concept. It is considered 
as an aid to studying, organizing, summarizing information and writing. It is an 
extremely effective method of taking notes and it also aids to recall of existing 
memories. 
2.1.2. Framework of a Mind Map 
In a mind map, the main study topic is drawn at the center with key words 
branching at divergent pattern. These key words correspond to subtopics and then 
smaller branches project from the subtopics with further details regarding the 
subject being included in a progressively branching pattern. These sub-branches of 
key words or pictures can be linked together resulting in the integration of different 
parts of the mind map. By undergoing this process, information initially contained 
within passages of the text become hierarchically organized, with the most general 
information being presented in the center of the mind map and material of 
increasing detail being presented at the extremes. 
 Sub-topic Sub-topic 
 Sub-topic 
 Sub-topic 
 Sub-topic 
 Sub-topic Main topic 
 (Key Idea) 
 Sub-topic 
 Sub-topic 
 Sub-topic 
 Sub-topic 
 Sub-topic Sub-topic 
 Figure 2.1. Basic structure of Mind map 
 4 • It's also a very intuitive way to organize your thoughts, since mind maps mimic 
the way our brains think—bouncing ideas off of each other, rather than thinking 
linearly. 
• You can generate ideas very quickly with this technique and are encouraged to 
explore different creative pathways. 
DePorter and Hernacki (in Abdurrahman, 2008:172) describe that there are some 
advantages of using mind mapping technique, they are as follows: 
• Flexible 
Explaining something can be easy without confusing in add the material based on 
the mind mapping. We can put the label and category of something based on our 
own opinion anywhere in the mind mapping. 
• Concentrate on the Topic 
Getting the subtopics what we talk about with focus on the main ideas easily. Keep 
focus on the keyword can help us to make it simple and it does not waste the time. 
• Increasing Comprehension 
Using mind mapping technique can make easy in understanding the material. Mind 
mapping is a simple think pattern so it does not make us confuse to understand 
what we have learned and easy to remember the material. 
• Enjoyable 
Imagination and creativity are unlimited in using mind mapping, so it can be funny 
to learn. By using pictures and colors, it makes the brain enjoy and excited in 
thinking something what we want about the material. 
2.1.5. Digital Technology and Mind Mapping 
Basically mind maps are developed through paper and pen. Recently, with the 
development of technology computer versions of mind maps have become popular 
which also increase learners’ level of interest in creating mind maps. Beside the 
traditional mind map which is developed on paper or board by hand. Another one 
is digital mind map which is developed on computer, mobile or other electronic 
devices through appropriate software. In contrast to tradition note-making, the 
software of mind maps can enhance learning and study performance. As a learning 
tool, digital mind mapping software helps learners to express their ideas visually in 
comparison with traditional mind map. It can also transform boring concepts and 
ideas into colorful, exciting and impressive flowcharts. Digital mind mapping is an 
effective imaginative practice to formulate thoughts and connections. Normally, 
digital mind maps are created in a blank electronic page which has a lot of 
advantages. For instance, it is easier, portable and not limited to the scale of the 
document, simple to save and share with friends. Digital mind map seems to prove 
its prominence when its software compiles our thoughts and ideas to something 
 6 • Padlet 
Padlet is a digital mind mapping software which exchange ideas and allow people 
to collaborate. It is an easy to read method to create stunning screens, fabrics and 
web pages. It allows users to add content, feedback and make real-time 
improvements. We can add images, letters, web links, videos and music in this 
software. We may choose a designed template or choose a blank template> We can 
also share our padlet with friends. 
• Cacoo 
Cacoo is a web-based digital mind mapping tool helps to build flowcharts, tables, 
mind maps and mockups. It helps users to add their ideas to pictures, details, 
comment, or diagrams. Some readymade templates are available for users to draw 
diagrms. 
• FreeMind: 
FreeMind is a free mind mapping software that allows people the opportunity to 
arrange thoughts on a webpage. FreeMind’s features like scads of icons, and color 
for formatting options, support hyperlinks allow users to bind web pages, and 
document to a map, and users can export in various formats including HTML, 
PDF, and JPEG. This software provides quicker operation and navigation with its 
one-click. 
• Vmindmap 
Vmindmap is a web-based mind mapping tool that allows users to create, edit, and 
share mind maps online. It offers a visually appealing interface that allows users to 
organize their thoughts and ideas in a hierarchical, tree-like structure. With 
Vmindmap, users can easily create new nodes and connect them with lines and 
arrows to represent relationships between ideas. They can also add images, icons, 
and attachments to nodes to provide additional context and information. 
One of the key features of Vmindmap is its collaboration capabilities. Users can 
invite others to view and edit their mind maps, making it a useful tool for group 
projects and brainstorming sessions. 
Vmindmap offers a free version with basic features, as well as paid plans with 
more advanced features and storage options. It is compatible with a variety of 
devices and operating systems, making it a flexible tool for users on-the-go. 
• Canvas 
Canvas is a popular graphic design platform that offers a wide range of tools and 
templates for creating visual content. While Canvas does not offer a dedicated 
mind mapping feature, it does provide templates and design elements that can be 
used to create mind maps. With Canvas, users can create a visual map of their 
ideas and concepts using various shapes, icons, imagines and text boxes. They can 
 8 - Enhancing creativity: Digital mind mapping encourages learners to brainstorm 
and visualize their ideas, leading to the development of creative thinking skills.- 
Improving organization: Digital mind maps allow learners to structure and 
organize their ideas effectively, enabling them to present their thoughts coherently 
when speaking. 
- Enhancing critical thinking: Mind mapping helps learners to analyze and evaluate 
information, leading to the development of critical thinking skills, which are 
essential for effective communication. 
- Promoting collaboration: Digital mind mapping facilitates collaborative learning, 
allowing learners to work together and share their ideas, leading to the 
development of communication and teamwork skills. 
- Improving memory retention: Digital mind mapping helps learners to retain 
information more effectively, allowing them to recall key points when speaking. 
- Developing language proficiency: Digital mind mapping can be used to teach and 
reinforce vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure, which are essential for 
developing language proficiency. 
- Overall, digital mind mapping is a useful tool for teaching speaking as it helps 
learners to develop essential skills such as critical thinking, creativity, 
organization, collaboration, memory retention, and language proficiency. 
2.2.2. Activities with an Application of Mind Mapping Technique by Using 
Digital Technology 
The process of creating digital mind maps: 
- Give the instruction to students so that they can take part in making mind 
mapping products. 
- Choose a mind mapping software that suits their needs and preferences: 
Vmindmap, Canvas, MindMeister, XMind, and iMindMap Mindjet, Mindomo, 
Cacoo, FreeMind 
- Determine the purpose of creating the digital mind map for studying, or 
organizing information and ideas to enhance speaking skills. 
- Define the central idea: Start with a central idea or topic and create branches to 
represent subtopics. 
- Add keywords and images: Use keywords to represent ideas and concepts, and 
add images to visually represent them. This will help in better retention and 
understanding. 
- Use colors and formatting: Use different colors and formatting options to make 
digital mind maps visually appealing and easy to understand. 
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