Anyone who uses traditional note-taking skills to capture the key points a trainer is saying is likely to miss some of the more complex conceptual areas of discussion. Experienced note-takers develop their personal version of short-hand to help grasp the most important points, which they can fill in during review and study. Mind mapping is a technique that trainers can show their students on day one to help them become more successful note takers and learners. Starting with a central theme or word in the center of the paper, a basic mind map includes lines that are connected from the central word and more words are connected to those words, and so on. This technique is great for brainstorming creative ideas and for building an understanding of complex ideas used in computer analysis, programming, or simply learning how a new software program works. Mind mapping is not a new technique; 1960's academics Dr. Allan Collin and M. Ross Quillian are widely credited for inventing this technique, but the software to making neater notes is now available. Handwriting still gets the job done too. What are some of the benefits of mind mapping? It cuts down on “wordy” notes, gives students more time for listening to the instructor and prioritizing the importance of the information being presented.