Lesson 3: Mind Map

.
Who say studying must be boring?

A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea.

Wikipedia

I believe people are successful when they are being the best that they can be. An athlete is said to be successful when they win the most prestigious awards. A successful entrepreneur is one who brought positive changes to the society, usually with a business which produces quality products and services.

So, how about a student? If we are staying in school, we seek to score good marks during exam. Therefore, we need to find the way we learn best. To be able to understand and memorize better, we will need to engage all your senses.

Hence, a mind map will be a great alternative. Instead of reading only words, try to summarize what we read into charts or graphics. Repeat drawing the same picture a few times and definitely, we should remember it for quite some time. Remember, graphics do help us to understand and remember better.

The logical mind map that I did during class. It is about 7 tips to fight against bookworms.

I always find it helpful to summarize the whole chapter in a single page of A4 paper. This has many uses, first it makes you feel secure knowing that chapter isn't that much after all. Second, you do not have time to read the whole chapter when exam is 24 hours away.

Make it a point to summarize everything in the form of pictures, you will remember much better. Summarizing the chapter in a limited space requires some skill. To develop this skill, I recommend you practice often.

Think out of box, you may gain something.

Understand, do not memorize.

Let me get this straight, I am really against memorizing just for exams, or even worst memorizing the whole speech for presentation. Instead of memorizing, find out why is it so. Understand why is the real learning process, and it is more fun than memorizing.

In mind mapping, you have to think out of box to gain more and more ideas. If you fail to do so, you are being trapped in your mindset.

"Mind maps provide an effective study technique when applied to written material. However before mind maps are generally adopted as a study technique, consideration has to be given towards ways of improving motivation amongst users."

Farrand, Hussain, and Hennessy (2002)

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map
http://heidycs.blogspot.com/
.

Lesson 2.2: Innovation & Invention

.

"Innovation . . . is generally understood as the successful introduction of a new thing or method . . . Innovation is the embodiment, combination, or synthesis of knowledge in original, relevant, valued new products, processes, or services.

— Luecke and Katz (2003)

Invention is an evolutionary act which leads to an outcome that is outside of the norm; norm meaning what is known, thus yielding, creation.

— Jonathan O'Neill Barnes- Apr. 19, 2009.

Innovation is not invention. But for me, they are two different things in similar field. Inventors are those who take existing knowledge and create new ideas. On the other hand, innovators add in idea in existing things, making improvements by introducing something new, the realization of a creative idea in a social context.

Since most of us are business students, then allowed me to share some of my opinions on entrepreneurship education which required creativity, innovation and invention. Broadly defined, entrepreneurship is actually the function of interaction occurring between the human nature and the environment. The most renowned concept suggested which clearly distinguishes the role of entrepreneurs in a society is as given below:

no entrepreneur, no innovation, no dynamics, no evolution

I suddenly realized that in this fast paced, globalized world, there will be a grater need for our children and us to have entrepreneurial skills and abilities to enable them to deal with life's current challenges and an uncertain future.

Bill Gates: Creator of Microsoft

Mark Zuckerberg: Creator of Facebook

Back to our topic, I always think that invention is good but what about innovation?
According to wikipedia, the goal of innovation are:

1. Improved quality
2. Creation of new markets
3. Extension of the product range
4. Reduced labour costs
5. Improved production processes
6. Reduced materials
7. Reduced environmental damage
8. Replacement of products/services
9. Reduced energy consumption
10. Conformance to regulations

Since we just need to add one product's value, then it considered our product. But what about others copyright? What about their trademarks?

I not sure if it is moral to do so, but personally I don't like it. Yes, I do agree that innovation is good. But innovation using others ideas, I doubt it. This does not means that I disagree all, using others ideas is OK for me if it does not treat others in term of financial and non-financial benefits.

I will defend my idea using the some real life examples:

The video basically shows the Japanese reporter compared their snacks with Korean's snacks. He used their nation products and randomly ask a Korean citizens to taste it. Surprisingly, all the Korean thought that was their Korean's snacks! Then the reporter went to the Korean factory which produced the snacks to have a short interview on this phenomena, but guess what the producer say? The Korean producer claimed that the two products are not same because their products have one more line at their packaging compare to Japanese's product!

Great! With one extra line in packaging, you WIN everything. There is no way for the Japanese to sue you! What a wonderful world it is?!

Ha~ That's why I not really like Korean. =X

Finally, to conclude this part, I highly recommend you guys to develop more in entrepreneurship skills. Think creatively, and perhaps someday you can be the next innovator or inventor.

Prepare for ascension.

Reference:
http://www.innovationtools.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invention
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innovation
.

Lesson 2.1: Novelty & Creativity

.
Novelty & Creativity:

Novelty means new, or something unusual. Creativity is thinking of something different although seeing the same thing as everybody. These two things can be same but also can be different. According to Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi's theory, creativity can be divided into big "C" and small "c". The big "C" have effect on others and is being accepted by the masses. Meanwhile, the small "c" serves personal satisfaction and fulfillment.

Force to Be Forced:

Just like what I wrote on the previous post, creativity is achievable. In fact, I always think creativity as an attitude. The world is such a beautiful place because we are blessed with different types of people, each using their unique gifts to make the world a better place. Or would you prefer a world where everyone is the same? How boring.

However, our education system does not work so. In school, there is a lot of focus on proficiency of language and mathematical abilities. The focus on academic education is to produce students who are able to read, write and calculate.

I agree on the importance of these subject. But there should be more! Language and mathematical abilities won't changed you to be a creative person unless you learn to create your own language or you use a creative way to cheat in exam.

Above are some different categories of intelligences under Gardner's theory. Besides verbal-linguistic, we have all others of intelligences. But, too sad our education system is only being set to teach us to be person who has ability to read and write. You will seldom have the chance to develop your creativity!

Art of Education

My friend's brother, who was eight returned home one day with an incomplete drawing of a flower in his school bag. His class was asked to draw a gigantic lower on their drawing blocks and to paint it accordingly.

That evening, I told him to finish up what he has started. He said that he was so tired of drawing flowers and butterflies in arts class that he now hates arts class itself! I asked him why, guess what he answered? He replied by stating that "boys like us feel irritated drawing flowers, butterflies or fruits in a basket, repeatedly. We prefer to draw robots, comic superheroes, ninjas and we're even extremely creative at creating our own cartoon plots on paper. So, why flowers and butterflies?"

I bet you've guessed the answer, it's the system. But do teachers have a choice? My friend's brother never score excellent in his art class, but when he back home, he's an excellent artist. He draws creatively, using his imagination, transforming it into visual arts pasted proudly on the walls in his room. Yet, he always scores a C in his art exams? Why?

His "flowers & butterflies" painting that he hate most

Your Choice Your Creativity

Doesn't this same scenario happen in your campus? When was it your last time that a lecturer asked you to choose your own assignments based on your capabilities and interests? Or ,when was the last time that you know you can do better within your own imagination and creativity, and not within your lecturer's imagination or creativity? One of the greatest minds, Thomas Edison was labeled as "having learning difficulties" by his teacher. Thank god he did not give up in life or we would have lost a great inventor.

Creativity needs imagination, and you will need motivation to do so. Some of us study because of parents, or they do not want to work early after graduated from High School. But there is also some of us who study because of their interests and they want to learn.

Of cause, I not saying that not obeying the lecturer's rules is good. But, only break the rules after you know all the rules.

Only by doing so, you can turn your novelty into creativity , and swap yourself from small "c" to big "c".

Creativity isn't magic, it's achievable.

Leland.N 1990

For the next post, I will talk about my opinion on the innovation and invention. Stay tuned...

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelty
.

Lesson 1: Creativity

What Creativity is:

Creativity is a mental and social process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts.

Wikipedia

For me, creativity means do the things right using a different way. Lets say: come out with a new idea, see things from several different views, combine two ideas that seem like not relate with each ideas and etc.

Here are some pictures that i think is creative yet funny:

We can hardly imagine that alien and predators sit down and play chess together. But the author did!

Now we know what will happen when Pepsi meet Coke.

Work the Idea:

We have to understand that creativity involves two processes: thinking, then producing. If we have ideas, but we do not act on them, we are imaginative but not creative. Remember that innovation is the production or implementation of an idea. If we does not act on the idea, it is still an idea.

Creativity is the process of bringing something new into being... creativity requires passion and commitment. Out of the creative act is born symbols and myths. It brings to our awareness what was previously hidden and points to new life. The experience is one of heightened consciousness-ecstasy.

Rollo May, The Courage to Create

Creativity can be learned:

Creativity is not natural. It can be learned actually. In fact, George Land had once said: people are naturally creative, but often as we grow up we learn to be uncreative.

In school, we are taught to memorize the "right" answers. But what are really the "right" answers? Is it what is written in the text book? Is the “right” answer the truth? Or is the “right answer” the answer written in the answer script for teachers?

The problem I like to point out here is, in school we are told to memorize “facts” and “right” answers. However, there is little emphasis on finding the “right” answer or questioning the source of the answer. We are programmed to accept a “right” answer from someone with status and authority, such as our teacher.

When our mindset is being programmed to memorize the "right" answers, are we going to waste our brain cells to think for another "right" answer?

Creativity is a skill that can be developed and a process that can be managed. It requires practice to develop the right muscles and a supportive environment in which to flourish. The more you think, the more you can see things differently.

I once used to be a student who memorized answers. I do not even like to think as thinking is tiring. However, when i first step in the society, I realized that thinking is so important because there is no "right" answer in business field. The business environment forced me to start thinking. I am not saying that I am a creative guy now, but at least I see things different from others. Lets say, some people see a chair as a chair but I see it as a tool to earn money or even as a weapon for self protection!

So, creativity can be learned, as long as you are willing to think.

English:
Right: Shit, I cant smell a single thing!
Left: People is literature division, not smell shoes division la.
PS: Literature sound like smell shoes in mandarin.

Right Brain, Left Brain

Our left brain thinks logically, our right brain thinks creatively. Most individuals have a distinct preference for one of these styles of thinking. Some, however, are more whole-brained and equally adept at both modes. In general, schools tend to favor left-brain modes of thinking, while downplaying the right-brain ones.

It is important for us to build a whole-brained mode rather then only focus on one. Remember that creativity is about doing the right things in a different way. To do the things right, you still have to think logically. I can use a creative way to rob a bank, but robing a bank can never be good.

Lets have some real life examples:

Now we can eat kids for free!

See what i mean? So start from today, practice your brain to be equal adept in both thinking modes. If you are left brain-minded, grab some books to read; if you are right brain-minded, join a society or get involve in co curriculum.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creativity
http://www.creativityatwork.com/articlesContent/whatis.htm

1st class

Ha, actually it is my 1st class but others' second class. =X

I had a seminar in PWTC last Wednesday for an exhibition call NICE ( National Innovation Conference & Exhibition) under MMU Cnergy. When i reached Cyberjaya, Joanne told me tat the class had finished so I missed the 1st class. 3 hours gone... =.="

Back to the topic, when i 1st stepped in the class, my idea is: "hey, this lecturer looks cute." And later, i found out that his name is called Mr Halim. =X

There are two lecturer for this subject. Another MLC lecturer is also a funny guy called Mr Radzi. He claimed that he is Michael Schumacher's friend, his Proton Saga can run up to 230km/hour, he is good in maths because he like girls and etc...

One cute, one funny, what a fantastic combination! XD I enjoyed the class really.

Then before leaving, Mr Radzi asked us to do one acticity. He required us to find a partner and interview him/her. After that, draw your friend's image or something that represent your partner.

My partner is Choi. After interview each other, he drew me as storm + sunny cause I am quite emotional and unpredictable.

Choi's works. I accidentally sign my signature beside it. ><

Althought not the best, but it still look nice. But still, i prefer computer works. So i redo one using the Illustrator. Well, at least it looks 90% alike la. =X

I think i will use both of these logo for the blogs. Ha~ It show that i respect others' work. =X

Looking forward for next class, will update lesson 1 content soon. =D

Hello World!

English: Hello!


Ha~ My 1st post. =D

Hi, everyone. My name is Wei Xiang (1071119787), you all can call me whatever you like as long as I answer you.

First of all, I would like to apologize for my broken English. =X Please bear with it because you going to see it for another 8 weeks; and dun be surprised if you see any Bahasa Rojak here, as I am from Malaysia, and I am praciticing Budaya 1 Malaysia. =X

I still have no idea about what a Creative Studies is. So for now, nothing much to say. I will update all the works here. Please dun be hesitate to leave your comment here. Tats all, see ya~