I absolutely love using Inspiration! I had so much fun developing this diagram, selecting the images, making notes, adding hyperlinks, choosing colors, and of course, researching the content. In the simplest form, this tool can be easily used in all content areas to create great visuals for visual learners. On a level in which students can in fact have access to a computer, these diagrams can provide a higher level of understanding for every type of learner. This can also be used for assessment to encourage higher order thinking, but only if the tools are equally available to all students.
I always thought it was unfair when a teacher would assign extra-credit for creative ways to demonstrate interpretations of content and suggest making a movie, or something that involved expensive technology. For example, in Senior English during the lesson on "Beowulf", a group of boys who had been hand-fed by a golden spoon their whiole life, had access to movie making programs and equipment. They created a mini-movie interpretation of "Beowulf" to show to the class. I was so jealous, and felt as though nothing I could do was worthy of even turning in for extra-credit. Thus, I find it extremely important to make sure that if a tool like inspiration be used as a form of assessment, it be equally available to each student. Scheduling class periods in a computer lab for instance would ensure its fair use.
Overall though, I find this tool extremely useful and incredible. The knowledge of how to use this program will aid greatly in providing my lessons with interesting and fun activities. I cannot wait to apply using this to the actual classroom.
So true. At one time digital technologies seemed reserved for the "golden spoon" elites: those with money and training. I think that's changing. I think you should feel confident that your future students will have a lot of hands-on expertise and hardwired intuition for digital content creation in many forms. What they will NOT have are the "soft" skills (judgment, ethics, cooperation, communication) to create educationally valid products for sharing and publishing in the classroom. That's where you come in as a model/coach/facilitator.
ReplyDeleteOverall, the tools are becoming more freely accessible and more affordable, now we need to transform our instruction to bridge the gap between out-of-school technology use and in-school technology use. This is no short order and requires huge paradigm shifts in public education.
Whew!
Anyway, I agree that it is unfair to relegate these activities as enrichment/extra credit for the privileged few. In my former school, it happened like this: the honors and AP students got loads of computer time because they were "more mature" and could "handle" it. Teachers would not use the mobile laptop lab with their low-level students for fear they would "tear up" the computers. What a bunch of hooey!
These activities are not just for fun and enrichment; they must be integrated into day-to-day instruction and assessment.
So, what do you do when the tool is not readily accessible or limited in number? I would encourage you to look for collaborative activities in which small groups share the limited resource. (And by "resource" I mean anything -- from laptop computer to world atlas to a pair of scissors!)
As for software such as Inspiration, look for free, web-based alternatives such as Webspiration or Bubbl.us.
Good reflection, Kristin!