Inspiration in the Palm
of the Hand!
by Kellie R. Doubek
What’s all the fuss with the handheld version of
Inspiration? It gives learners all the power of the desktop version in the
palm of their hand! Now learners have access to Inspiration throughout the
learning process, whether they’re taking notes during class discussions,
noting key points while researching, or jotting main ideas and new
vocabulary when completing assigned reading. The handheld version contains
all of the key features teachers and students love about the desktop
version of Inspiration.
Students can brainstorm prior knowledge about a topic
using the rapid fire feature, easily creating a web reflecting what they
know. Throughout a unit of study they can rearrange their web, adding and
changing new symbols as they acquire new knowledge. Using the power of
beaming, they can share their webs with other students, discussing and
clarifying understanding. Inspiration gives the students flexibility they
wouldn’t have with paper and pencil, as well as provides the learner with
tools to customize their webs to meet their individual learning.
The handheld version of Inspiration allows the student to
take notes, manipulating text in ways that has meaning for the learner.
Content can be organized into a web to show links and connections between
ideas. Furthermore, there are many ready-made templates to assist students
in choosing a layout that corresponds well with the type of text or
content being studied. The use of shapes and/or colors gives visual clues
to the learner. Another beneficial feature is the ability to add notes to
symbols. This feature hides an unlimited text box behind the symbol which
the user can access by tapping on the accompanying symbol. This is a
terrific way for students to add notes to topics they are researching. By
organizing the information they are looking for into symbols before
researching and then adding notes to the appropriate symbol as they find
the information enables them to organize their research as they find it.
This is much more efficient then taking all of their notes randomly and
trying to organize them later.
Just like the desktop version, all webs created can be
transferred to a word processor. But you don’t need a computer! The webs
transfer into outline form into Memo Pad, Word to Go,
or AlphaWord! Students can literally brainstorm, organize their thoughts
and transfer it to an outline in a word processor to begin typing their
paper. They can peer edit by beaming the
document back and forth to peers, while the teacher can provide on-going
assessment using the handheld as well.
So what is all the fuss about the handheld version of
Inspiration? After all, for years I have shared each of these
implementation ideas in workshops I’ve facilitated. Teachers often end the
training saying that they could Inspiration for everything. What prevents
them from utilizing the program for everything from activating background
knowledge, organizing and sharing ideas to note taking and synthesizing
research, as well as using the program throughout the writing process?
ACCESS! Unless students have access to that software throughout the school
day, they can’t fully utilize the program. That is the power of
one-to-one computing. Handhelds give students the anytime, anywhere access
they need to get the most of Inspiration.
