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Program Description Who Is This Program For
Why We Selected This Program Computer Requirements
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Kidspiration is an educational software program that is based on the use of graphic organizers to record, sort, and organize ideas to be further developed into a written piece of work. Graphic organizers allow for ideas to be organized based on relationships and are linked visually. Kidspiration takes the graphic organizer concept further by allowing a learner to transfer the visually linked relationships to a writing outline so that the ideas can be expanded upon textually.
The Kidspiration experience begins with a starter screen (see top right) that is organized according to ready-made templates based on specific subjects (math, reading and writing, science, social studies), a picture view and a writing view.
If a learner is not comfortable with the concept of graphic organizers, using one of the ready-made subject templates (ex. reading and writing - see third right) would best suit an introduction to the program. This would be especially relevant if a learner has a specific task to be completed (i.e. All about Me for a writing activity). It is also especially relevant if a learner is at a loss of where to begin with a project and needs starter ideas. Each of the templates is organized visually according to key ideas that can help a learner get started.
If a learner has experience in the use of a graphic organizer to record and organize ideas, it would be best to begin your journey with the picture view (see second right). The picture view presents the learner with a blank screen that has a circular image set up in the middle to be used as the main idea. The learner can begin to build their graphic organizer by clicking on the circular image, at which point a small dialog box opens up that allows the learner to add text by typing in the words.
When in the picture or writing view, to the left of the screen is the first set of symbols from a supplied library of 1200 symbols. The library of symbols is organized according to subject categories that are relevant to the interest of the student learner and to subject covered in school. All the symbols are easily accessible through three arrow keys that allow a learner to scroll through the library and either find a particular symbol (a conversation bubble) or a set of related symbols (solar system images). A symbol is clicked and dragged to the main screen and immediately the opportunity to record ideas is possible, as the symbol becomes a dialog box with one easy click on it. Read More>>
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Click Images To Enlarge
Starter Screen
Picture View
Reading and Writing Template
Writing Template
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Kidspiration was created for young learners within the K-5 grades. The emphasis on supplying a wealth of colourful and vivid visual symbols to represent and connect ideas provides a very novel means for young learners to make sense of their writing and enjoy the writing process. For the full impact of the program to be seen on the writing output and the writing process of young learners, they would need to have been introduced and have had adequate practice in the use of graphic organizers within the writing process. Appropriate modeling of the use of Kidspiration as a means to engage in the writing process is required by a facilitator for young learners between the K-5 grades to take full advantage of the features of the program.
Teachers would find the program useful as a means to communicate concepts within any of the subjects (science, math, language) by using the program as a resource to engage the students in a demonstration of a concept. The interactivity of the program allows a teacher to also use the program as a tool to record brainstormed ideas and to further organize the ideas thematically. The ability to select colourful and vivid symbols and the ability to navigate easily between picture and written view would capture the interest of any young learner during a period of instruction.
Kidspiration is a powerful learning tool that can allow young writers to enjoy the process of writing. Most young learners are turned off writing because they view the writing process to be burdensome. The visual nature of Kidspiration, its powerful tools and symbols and its ease of use can make a writing task enjoyable. Young learners are very much visual learners and can often express themselves better visually than by using only text. Kidspiration offers young learners the ability to record information using text but to create meaningful relationships between the text and colourful and vivid visual symbols that are both available or can be created by the learner. The visually organized ideas can easily be transferred to a written view; a process those young learners felt tiresome when using pencil and paper. The learner can make mistakes using the program and not feel discouraged about errors because corrections are easily made.
Kidspiration can assist young writers navigate through the writing process in a fun and interactive way. It allows a learner to brainstorm their ideas using graphic organizers to record, organize and connect ideas. Graphic organizers are recording templates that are used at schools that appeal to the visual learning that is inherent to most young students. Kidspiration provides a variety of ready-made activity templates that function as graphic organizers and that appeal to all school subjects (i.e. math, language, science), and subject activities (i.e. All About Me writing activity). Kidspiration allows the young learner to practise and enjoy using the graphic organizer concept for any school project or personal learning activity instantly. The learner can quickly record their ideas using a graphic organizer and then organize them according to relationships. Kidspiration also allows the learner to draft, revise and publish their written work through a writing outline of their graphic organizer and the ability to export to word processing. The learner can then easily transfer the organized ideas from the graphic organizer into a writing outline. The writing outline is an immediate reflection of the organized thoughts and now allows the learner to expand on their thoughts in a written format. The transfer from one stage of the writing process to another is seamless and easy.
Reviewed by Jason Finley - Elementary School Teacher
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Pricing and Online Ordering
(or call toll free -1-800-250-9229 )
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Platform: Windows®, Pentium 75 MHz or faster, Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT 4.0, ME or XP (including Tablet PC Edition), 8 MB RAM, 640 x 480, 256 color display, Windows compatible graphics card, 7 MB available hard drive minimum, 25 MB hard drive available for all symbols and Help, CD-ROM drive (for installation), Optional: Windows compatible printer, Internet browser, Soundcard and speakers, Microphone, Interactive electronic whiteboard
Platform: Mac OS 7.1, 8.x, 9.x or OS X, 4 MB available RAM, 640 x 480, 256 color display, 7 MB available hard drive minimum, 35 MB hard drive available for all symbols and Help, CD-ROM drive (for installation), printer, Internet browser, Microphone, Interactive electronic whiteboard
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Inspiration Version 7
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