Transcript Inspiration Software

Inspiration Software
Visual Thinking and Learning
http://www.inspiration.com
Use Inspiration across the curriculum for:
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Brainstorming
Webbing
Diagramming
Planning
Critical thinking
Concept mapping
Organizing
Outlining
Research in both educational theory and
cognitive psychology tells us that visual
learning is among the very best methods
for teaching students of all ages how to
think, and how to learn.
What is visual learning?
- graphical ways of working with ideas and
presenting information - teaches students
to clarify their thinking, and to process,
organize, and prioritize new information.
- Visual diagrams reveal patterns,
interrelationships and interdependencies.
They also stimulate creative thinking.
Visual learning techniques help students:
Clarify thinking. Students see how ideas are connected and realize
how information can be grouped or organized. With visual learning,
new concepts are more thoroughly and easily understood.
Reinforce understanding. Students recreate, in their own words,
what they've learned. This helps them absorb and internalize new
information, giving them ownership of their ideas.
Integrate new knowledge. Diagrams updated throughout a lesson
prompt students to build upon prior knowledge and internalize new
information. By reviewing diagrams created previously, students see
how facts and ideas fit together.
Identify misconceptions. Just as a concept map or web shows
what students know, misdirected links or wrong connections reveal
what they don't understand.
• Webbing, idea mapping and concept mapping
are three of the most popular visual learning
methods.
– Webs are visual maps that show how different categories of
information relate to one another. Webs provide structure
for ideas and facts and give students a flexible framework
for organizing and prioritizing information.
– Idea maps help students brainstorm, solve problems and
plan their work. Idea maps connect keywords, symbols,
colors and graphics to form nonlinear networks of potential
ideas and thoughts.
– Concept maps graphically illustrate relationships between
information. In a concept map, two or more concepts are
linked by words that describe their relationship.
Different Ways to Use Webs
• A literary web helps students analyze the various literary
elements (plot, characterization, theme, etc.)
• In a character web, students identify the traits of a central
character.
• Comparison is one of the most basic and powerful forms
of analysis.
• Prewriting describes the brainstorming and organizing
students do before writing. Once students choose a topic,
they type it in the center of a web. Then they rapidly add
subtopic ideas in symbols connected to the main topic.
Samples
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Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
Math
Integration Ideas
Social Studies: Pilgrim Life
Language Arts: Vocabulary
Math: Fraction Action
Science
Inspiring Links
• How to concept map http://www.studygs.net/mapping/
• Kinds of concept maps
http://classes.aces.uiuc.edu/ACES100/Mind/c-m2.html
• Various Graphic Organizers
• http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/actbank/torganiz.htm
• Inspiration Resources
http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/inspiration.htm
• Hands On workshop
http://www.dzfx.com/workshops/list/2/Inspiration_6Hands-On_Workshop/
• Classroom ideas
http://www.spart5.k12.sc.us/TechTraining/InspirationMat
rix.htm
• PDF of the Inspiration Symbol Library
http://www.kidspiration.com/download/pdf/InspSymbolG
uide.pdf