Kidspiration®

Kidspiration is a visual learning (concept mapping) software program designed for K-5 learners. (Inspiration is the comparable application for use with older students.)

A free trial download is available.

Kidspiration uses visual learning techniques to help students:

• Brainstorm

• Organize

• Plan

• Create

What is visual learning (concept mapping)?

Students work with ideas graphically, which helps them see relationships– they can see how ideas are connected, as well as any patterns that may exist. This approach encourages them to clarify and organize their thoughts. It also stimulates and reinforces understanding. Kidspiration helps develop and reinforce emerging literacy skills by showing the connections between words and their meanings as students can switch back and forth between the “picture” and “writing” mode in the Kidspiration program. Students gain confidence in creating stories.

Why visual learning?

Research shows that visual learning is effective in getting students to understand and retain ideas. It increases the opportunity to tap additional/alternative learning styles (multiple intelligences).

How can teachers and students personalize and enhance learning using Kidspiration?

1. Teachers can create and add their own activities for students to use.

• Many resources and examples of the ways to use Kidspiration are available on the web

• Activities (K-2, and 3-5) for various curriculum areas are included in the program

2. The symbol library may be customized by importing/adding images

• Use web images, digital photos, etc.

3. Students and teachers may also create (draw) and use their own symbols/images

How easy is it to learn to use Kidspiration?

Kidspiration is incredibly easy and intuitive to use – easy for kids and easy for teachers.

• The software comes packaged with a User’s Guide

• An Interactive Demonstration and a Training CD is available

• A Kidspiration Lesson Plan Book (utilizing activities that are aligned with standards) is available (extra).

• Many free tutorials (including video) are also available on the Internet

Take a quick tour of Kidspiration

1. Go to START>PROGRAMS>KIDSPIRATION 2
2. The first screen you will view is the Kidspiration Starter

1. Start a new document by either
   • Starting Kidspiration in the Picture mode
   • Starting Kidspiration in the Writing mode
     You can switch between the picture and writing mode at any time
     while working on a document. They are just two different ways of
     looking at the Kidspiration document
2. Open an existing document
3. Choose an activity that has been built in or added to the program by a teacher
4. Quit the program

5. Students may drag symbols from the symbol library to the workspace to link ideas, import a graphic (using file menu), or create their own symbols with the Symbol Maker

In the Symbol Maker workspace, learners can draw their own symbols. The drawing tools are similar to those in other graphic programs and introduce students to those tools in a simplified environment.

Using the Teacher Menu, teachers may create a new symbol library, edit an existing symbol library, save new teacher created activities, and set preferences for a number of application options.

Example 1. -- Picture Mode to a jpeg:

Example 2. -- Writing mode to a Word document:

Group Work

Plan

Talk ideas over.

Give jobs to everyone

Help

Show people how to do things if they are stuck

Share

Ideas, supplies, links

Listen to other people's ideas

Compliment

Make people feel good about their ideas

Work

Do your fair share.

Don't waste time

Kidspiration 2 video tutorials (no audio): 1. Starter, 2. Quick Tour, 3. Working in a Kidspiration Document ,
 4. Using the Symbol Maker, 5. Adding a Hyperlink, 6. Using the Super Grouper 
Note: Save file first, then open -- use Windows Media Player 9 (wmv media)

10. Additional Web Resources for using Kidspiration -- tutorials, examples, lessons, activities, and tips

1. NCCS Technology Tutorials – Kidspiration http://www.northcanton.sparcc.org/%7Etechnology/Tutorials/kidspiration.html
2. NCCS Staff-made Kidspiration Collection http://www.northcanton.sparcc.org/~ptk1nc/kidspired2002/   http://www.northcanton.sparcc.org/~technology/activities/index.html
3. NCCS Kidspired Activities http://www.northcanton.sparcc.org/~ptk1nc/kidspired2002/samples.html
4. NCCS Kidspired Tales http://www.northcanton.sparcc.org/~ptk1nc/kidspired2002/
5. Beyond the book http://eduscapes.com/sessions/bike/bike7.htm
6. Early Childhood Technology Literacy Project http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/littlekids/downloads/kidspiration/index.html
7. Using Kidspiraton for Early Literacy http://placemark.tomsnyder.com/servlet/com.iteach.wpbsrv.Preview?Action=OnlinePreview&Part=AllParts&NewsletterNo=17626&UU=1075049182657
8. Kidspiration Skills Assessments http://www.mccsc.edu/howto/self.html#KID
9. Tech4Learning “ Kidspiration How to’s” http://www.tech4learning.com/snacks/kidspiration.html
10. OCSD Using Kidspiration http://www.oswego.org/staff/cchamber/inspire/kidspiration.htm
11. OCSD Kidspiration Links http://www.oswego.org/staff/cchamber/inspire/links.htm#kids
12. OCSD Kidspiration Example
13. Teacher Examples http://edservices.aea7.k12.ia.us/edtech/classroom/visual/tchrexamp.html#Anchor-Languag-3592
14. Graphic Organizers Teacher Examples http://edservices.aea7.k12.ia.us/edtech/classroom/visual/tchrexamp.html
15. Lesson Using Kidspiration http://comsewogue.k12.ny.us/~ssilverman/kid/about.htm
16. Kidspiration Templates http://www.globalclassroom.org/together/kidspiration.html
17. Ideas for Using Kidspiration http://pt3.sbu.edu/TechProjects/SpecificSoftware/Kidspiration.htm

© Joel Black 2004
TED510 Class Presentation Resource

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