Inspiration is a software program used to create mind maps and concept maps. This software focuses on visual learning. A mind map is a visual way of taking notes. Often at the beginning of a topic, teachers will create a mind map with the class. One word will be written in the centre of the white board and all ideas students have will be written around the word. Although students often participate they are not often engaged. Creating a mind map in this sense is out-dated.
Mind maps rely heavily on mnemonics. Certain words may trigger a memory in the minds of some students. For example, If I hear an anecdote in one of my university lectures about a teacher from Bendigo that created a new teaching theory that has been a success and caused a paradigm shift, I may just write the word "Bendigo" and when I come back to these notes in the future, seeing that one word will trigger the anecdote in my mind. Mnemonics are like zip files on the computer: They are something small, but when unzipped, they contain a lot of detailed information.
Just to prove how powerful mnemonics can be we should look to the Japanese writing system of Kanji. At a very early age Japanese students are expected to know a large amount of these complex characters. Many of them often look very similar. To help students remember these, little stories, or mnemonics are taught to students to help them recall the character. A full list of these can be found here.
The use of Inspiration in the classroom can only go as far as the teacher's understanding of the software. I am grateful that I have had the chance to experience this software before going out into the workforce. The way the teacher makes this software available to students is integral. The fact is that it is a very useful tool that can be used in a variety of contexts. The teacher should introduce students to this program and allow them to use it in any subject. Technology sceptics (I imagine) would implement its use in a controlled software focused lesson. That is, they would have a lesson planned specifically designed to use Inspiration to complete a set task. I believe this limits the creativity and personal responsibilities of a student. I would like Inspiration to be a program on the computer that students decide to use at their own will. I would like it to become as common as Microsoft Word or Paint Shop Pro; a program well known and often used by the students. Students should decide when to use this program, not the teacher.
That there are very limited boundaries means the students can run with their imagination. It is often said that the aim of a teacher is to educate the whole child. However I believe that often the development and fostering of creativity is forgotten in subject specific curricula. Creativity is often left to the arts domain. Inspiration offers a way to nurture creativity in students in any subject.
If used correctly in the classroom, I believe teachers will see improvements in the Communication and Personal learning domains in VELS.
Student and teachers are sure to get a kick out of using this program. It is a dynamic program. That will keep children and adults focused.
We also learnt how to use online blogs. This could be very useful to set up a classroom discussion on a specific topic. Perhaps the teacher could start off with a general topic or issue and as students learn more about it in class, they can add comments and bounce off each other.
