Inspiration was an easy application and fun so I believe it will be a useful tool in the classroom. This sort of thing makes me hope I have a projector or a Smart Board or something to make incorporating this sort of program easy. I have also decided that I have a way of manipulating the situation so it is more likely I will have all of the cool computer stuff, I should be a technology specialist! It would be fun because I enjoy being a tech nerd and knowing how to do what on the computer and other programs. For the most part, I am good at it and if I don't know something, I pick up on it quickly. That was just a random thought for the blog and how to use everything we are learning in this class in the real school world situation kind of scenario doohickey.
Back to inspiration...I used the applications and theories that we are learning and using in this application to make a cheat sheet for teachers. The web is rather easy to read, but it is large and takes up a lot of space. I had issues making it fit the one page rule and being able to read it at the same time. I made the Microsoft Word Document printout a handout by adding questions and lines for teachers to make notes to understand the different in what makes a Wiki accessible compared to a Teacher's Classroom Website. They are both accessible in their own way. So it was a rather complicated mixed thing and I felt like there needed to be a place for notes to explain what is what.
All in all, it is an easy one for the kids to use. It can be a little difficult with making the webs themselves and allowing them to be readable but it could be worse.
I like how you modified the Word doc to include space for the learner to record ideas and thoughts about "Lifelong Learning."
ReplyDeleteThe few difficulties you encountered should give you insight into your future use, should you have the privilege of using Inspiration in the elementary classroom. (If your school does not have a license, try the free, web-based version called Webspiration.)
You mentioned Smartboard technology, and while I believe you can import Inspiration diagrams into Smartboard, you may find that the "Smart Notebook" software that comes "free" with every Smartboard may provide all the tools you need for creating graphic organizers.