SUSTAIN/INSPIRE 2GS3 – Assignment #1

Mark Total: 20% of your final grade

Assignment Total: Mind Map (75%); Description/reflection (25%)
Date Assigned: January 9th
Date Due: To the Avenue Dropbox on March 17th at 4pm

Purpose/Background: The most important thing you can walk away with in this course is a greater
appreciation of the interactivity of various disciplines towards finding solution to issues of sustainability.
While I am sure you have made mind maps before (and it isn’t an issue if you haven’t!) we will do here
as they are ideal for gaining insight on complex subjects through the consolidation of information from
multiple sources. It is also an interesting way to present information that goes beyond the common
written paper. In a situation such as this where you have multiple lectures that connect around a theme
but not necessarily to each other a mind maps can help relate the information by forcing organization
and allowing freedom and creativity. In theory the creation of a visual image form discrete topics will
make information more meaningful and allow for deep learning to occur.

What is a mind map: There are hundreds of resources available to explain what a mind map is. Instead
of reinventing the wheel I thought the following description from the Mind Mapping website would
work best (further examples at the end of this document):

A Mind Map is an easy way to brainstorm thoughts organically without worrying about order and
structure. It allows you to visually structure your ideas to help with analysis and recall.

A Mind Map is a diagram for representing tasks, words, concepts, or items linked to and arranged
around a central concept or subject using a non-linear graphical layout that allows the user to build an
intuitive framework around a central concept. A Mind Map can turn a long list of monotonous
information into a colorful, memorable and highly organized diagram that works in line with your brain's
natural way of doing things.

Your task(s): You will have two deliverables for this assignment. First (1) you need to construct a mind
map! One of the keys to a mind map is your central theme that you are mapping to. For this assignment
it needs to be sustainability based (it could be simply ‘Sustainability’ or something like ‘Improving
Sustainability’) this is up to you. What you also must do it include ideas from all the lectures. This will be
tricky so don’t leave it to the last minute. You also need to include a 600 word description of the Mind
Map. This is not meant to be a description of every line and connection, it is a general discussion of how
you went about pulling these discrete ideas together. Also explain (briefly) a few connections that you
made within the Mind Map that you never would have thought of before this course began.

How do I hand this in?: Mind Maps can be made digitally or by hand. There are many free software
options but also PowerPoint, drawing programs available in the Lyons New Media Centre. If you create it
 digitally you can hand it in the Avenue Assignment Box. If you create it physically (and this is 100% fine,
who doesn’t love markers!?!?!?) you can take a photo of it.

Grade Breakdown: 75% for the mind map, 25% for the description/reflection

*If you are comfortable with me sharing your mind map with the larger instructional team that pulled
this course together, please make a note when you hand it in. I know those that contributed are
interested in the connections you make.

Resources:
https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/content/how-create-mind-map

https://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/sites/default/files/docs/learningguide-
mindmapping.pdf (VERY USEFUL!)

https://www.ryerson.ca/content/dam/tedrogersschool/success/resources/TRSM-ASC-tip-sheet-
creating-effective-mind-maps.pdf

Rubric for Mind Map portion of assignment