This week I finished up my first side trip, which was a project with Inspiration, an electronic way to create graphic organizers. The practice reading and tutorials for this project were so wonderful that it made the actual project a pleasure! I'm sure I only scrated the surface of what this program can do, but it seemed to be very user friendly. In very little time I had the basics down with ease. I created a story map using Inspiration based on the classic children's picture book, Stellaluna by Janell Cannon.
Dr. B, you asked me if you think this is something my students would use, and I would answer a definate yes. I think this would be a great way for students to create their own concept, thinking maps. I think if a child created their own concept map, they're going to internalize the concept so much more than filling in one that the teacher created. Like I said, it's very easy once you're shown the basics of how to insert objects and link them together, and I think even young elementary students could create basic thinking maps. Dr. B, you also asked if I had it at my school. I did a little research and we actually do have it at my school, but I don't think alot of teachers are aware of it! I have shared with several teachers this week about the program and they didn't know about it, and seemed excited to know that we had it!
The second half of last week I took a few days off of college work and enjoyed the UCF spring break. I plan on beginning Journey #2 this week, and you'll hear all about the ups, downs and triumphs of it all right here in my blog! :)
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It's funny how things we are excited about get put away and need to be dusted off...It was good you could remind the teachers what a great tool Inspiraiton/Kidspiration can be. There is so much research about the impact of concept or mind mapping...all of it positive! It used to be that this software was the ONLY thing available to use with kids, but now there are a lot of web-based alternatives. I still think Inspiration is the best.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got a few days of spring break before the next trip begins. (Didnt we used to take trips DURING spring break?) ;-(