Year 7 students might find it tough to use mind mapping for coming up with design ideas. Here are some reasons why:

1. Feeling Overwhelmed:

   • Starting a mind map can be hard because staring at a blank page can feel scary.
   • Students might not believe in their creative skills, thinking their ideas aren't good enough.

2. Struggling to Organize Ideas:

   • Figuring out how to put thoughts into groups can be tricky, which can make the mind map look messy and not helpful.
   • Sometimes, students have a hard time seeing how different ideas connect, making their thoughts feel scattered.

3. Not Enough Resources:

   • Many students don’t have enough materials or examples to get inspired.
   • They might not know where to find images or designs that could help spark their creativity.

Ways to Help:

• Offer Guidance: Run workshops that teach students how to make good mind maps, using examples to show them.
• Share Resources: Give students access to design websites, books, and artists to help them find inspiration.
• Group Work: Suggest brainstorming in groups so students can build on each other’s ideas. This can make the experience better for everyone.

By tackling these issues, students can start to use mind mapping as a useful tool for generating design ideas!