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KIDSPIRATION
- A VISUAL LEARNING TOOL FOR K-5
Some
of the below content is adapted from the Inspiration Web Site.
What is it?
"Kidspiration is a visual learning tool (software) for K-5 students
(Inspiration is designed for Grade 6-Adult).
Designed for emerging readers and writers, Kidspiration helps students
develop confidence as they learn to organize information, understand concepts
and connections, create stories, and express and share their thoughts.
Kidspiration has two modes in which students can view their work. These
two modes are integrated so that with one click a student can go from
a visual representation of their work to a written representation
of their work. All changes made in one view are automatically made to
the other view as the two modes work hand in hand to help learners organize
their thoughts and information.
- "Picture
view provides a no-barrier way for kids to represent ideas through symbols.
Simple maps, webs and other visual learning diagrams help them organize
and express their thoughts.
- "Writing
view integrates with Picture view to help students connect their visual
thoughts with written expression. It's the natural, intuitive way to
help emerging writers learn to organize and plan. In the writing view,
students can drag and drop paragraphs to assist in organizing their
thoughts."
In addition,
audio enables students to hear their work read aloud or record
their own words. All menus, buttons and other text are audio supported
to assist emerging readers and writers."
There are also some built in activities (cross-curricular) and
approximately 1200 clipart symbols to help students express themselves.
Kidspiration allows teachers to modify the tool bars so that students
have the tools they need, rather than an overwhelming selection.
Further, Kidspiration's smart Activity Wizard walks teachers through
this tool bar modification process and helps teachers modify existing
activities to meet individual learning needs.
Some final options worth mentioning are the print and save options. Prior
to printing, students can add their name and classroom information so
that their work is easy to identify if it is printed to a networked computer.
Student work can also be save for use in other formats.
How would I use Kidspiration in the classroom?
Kidspiration can be used across the curriculum and is designed for use
by young children, which makes it ideal for anything from entire class
instruction to small-group and independent computer center activities.
It operates on the foundation of a visually learning approach. (To learn
more about visual learning, click
here).
Teachers can use a digital projector to project a computer screen for
the entire class to see as a brainstorming session develops. As student
ideas are shared the teacher can easily add their suggestions to the concept
map. Small groups of students can work at a computer center to organize
a cooperative research project or teachers can use the software as a means
to individualize instruction/assignments.
Be sure to visit the Kidspiration
website as it contains valuable information for how this software
can be integrated into your instructional practices
The following images are examples of what the user will see when using
Kidspiration.
A
student created web to assist in the writing of a "sense poem."
A student
created record of this week's weather.
A glimpse
at the writing mode.
How is
it done?
You will need a computer and the software. A free trail of the software
is available at the Inspiration
website. Simply follow the downloading and installing information
to get the trial version running on your machine.
Extra
Resources/Links
It
is highly recommended that you visit the interactive demonstration
link below as it explains the software in a concise and intelligent manner.
- View
the interactive demo. This is a great place to learn more about
the power behind this visual learning software. This demo provides an
overview and quick tour, examples of how this software can be used in
the classroom, and a 30 day trial version of the software.
Paper
Resources: Kidspiration Activity Book is available from your
area's Educational Consultant.
INSPIRATION
-
A VISUAL LEARNING TOOL FOR 6-ADULT
What Is
It?
Where
Kidspiration is designed for the K-5 learner, Inspiration is designed
for the grade 6 through adult learner. Inspiration's integrated diagramming
and outlining environments work together to help students comprehend concepts
and information. Educators use Inspiration to customize instruction, achieve
standards, assess student progress, and energize learning.
Inspiration
can quickly provide a visual representation for brainstorming, webbing,
diagramming, planning, critical thinking, concept mapping, organizing
and outlining. Further, lust like Kidspiration, Inspiration can be used
across the curriculum with ease. Since Inspiration has been designed with
the older learner in mind, it produces more complex screens. But like
Kidspiration, this software integrates the written and visual modes so
that learners can switch back and forth to watch their ideas grow and
see their writing take shape.
In the image
below, the top illustration shows the visual representation of an idea
in progress, while the bottom image is what the writing view looks like
when selected.
How can
I use this software in the Classroom?
Inspiration
can be used in a variety of activities: brainstorming, webbing, diagramming,
planning, organizing and outlining to name a few!
Here are
a some cross-curricular
examples of how this software can be used in Language Arts, Social
Studies, Math, and planning activites.
How
is it done?
You will need a computer and the software. A free trail of the software
is available at the Inspiration
website. Simply follow the downloading and installing information
to get the trial version running on your machine.
Visit the
Inspiration
technical support website to learn more about system requirements.
Extra Resources/Links
It
is highly recommended that you visit the KIDSPIRATION
interactive demonstration as it explains how Kidspiration operates
and it will give you a good idea about how Inspiration can be used in
the classroom.
Paper
Resources: Classroom Ideas Using Inspiration: For Teachers by Teachers
is availible from your area's Educational Consultant.
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