So recently in my technology class, we spent some time working with the Inspiration software. From my understanding, Inspiration is intended to make the building/creating of concept maps and flow carts a little simpler. The program itself is really neat, with a number of different options for creating a unique display of information. What I found most helpful was the outline feature. Just like when you create a powerpoint, there is the option to input information in an outline view. The helped me because I could organize my thoughts in an outline, then simply click a button to create a web, tree or pyramid of information. It is also very easy to insert images or pictures onto a map, unlike it might be if you tried to create a similar product using Word or another familiar product for creating documents.
Although I had a lot of fun discovering all of the nifty thinks to do with this project, it is in complete opposition with how I learn. Personally, I don't really like concept maps. There's too much information, that for me, seems far too disorganized or scattered across the board. I'm a linear thinker - so for me, a list of ordered steps seems to make much more sense. Perhaps this is why I enjoyed being able to first create the outline and then have the compute arrange it all for me! Despite my personal disinterest in organizing information this way, I know some students I have will enjoy the non-linear representation of the information and may better be able to organize a number of different methods for doing something in this fashion. For this reason, I won't completely rule out Inspiration in my own classroom - but I don't think it will be a common staple for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment