This software is the preeminent "concept mapping, mind mapping" resource for young students - Grades K-3. (Actually, there is no other software program that does the job of instruction young children as well as Kidspiration™.)
Concept maps and mind maps are visual tools for structuring thought. Colorful diagrams and images show relationships in concrete and understandable ways that prove to be effective teaching tools.
So, what could Open Source folks learn from the release of Kidspiration™ 3.0? (Flip Answer: The same thing that they should have learned with the release of Kidspiration™' 1.0, or 2.0. the same thing that they should have learned from examining Inspiration™"s flagship product, Inspiration™, or Inspiration™ Software's Inspiredata™.
Take-home licenses for the software should be available so that students and teachers can use the software at home. Of course, this is the argument for selecting Open Source software in the first place. But, if the software does not meet the instructional needs of students, there is no justification for wasting students' and teachers' time (or network storage space) by installing it.
Sidebar
Kidspiration™ is available from many dealers and resellers. But, don't buy the software yourself since school districts receive huge discounts on site licenses.
Site licenses allow campuses to install the software on as many computers as they wish. But, don't install the software on every computer, either.
What you should do is install the software one time on your campus server; then, create a link to the program from your campus or district Intranet page.
This solution eliminates plenty of hassles, and allows students to access the program from any computer that is connected to the campus network.
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The Curriculum Connection
Kidspiration™ can be used by young children. But, so what?
The question is, "What do young children learn from software that is engaging (and so easy that it doesn't draw attention to itself) that children learn crucial concepts?"
Look at some of the items that Kidspiration™ 3.0 includes:
- Symbol Collection - over 3,000 symbols related to concepts that are taught in Grades K-5
- Support for Multiple Subjects - It's not just for Math anymore
- Views include - Picture, Math and Writing Views
- Math Functions include:
- Color Tile Manipulation
- Pattern Block Manipulation
- Base-Ten Block Manipulation
- Fraction Tiles
- Fraction Boxes
- Symbol - Keyword Search
- Support for Audio Input - Teachers can record instructions
- Support for ELL and ESL students
- Included Dictionary and Thesaurus -- over 13,000 words
- Included Sight Vocabulary - Dolch and Frye's Word Lists
- Over 150 cross-curricular teaching templates - with Standards-Aligned Lesson Plans
In addition, Inspiration™ released a companion teacher resource book, Kidspiration™ in the Classroom: Reading Essentials.
If you think that Inspiration™ Software understands the learning process for young children, and understands the needs of teachers in this high-stakes test-crazy world of education, you are right.
If you notice that Kidspiration™ integrates visual, auditory and hands-on learning across multiple curricular content area subjects while decreasing students' attention to the technology, you perceive the correct model for "Technology Integration." That is, the technology takes a backseat to learning, the technology delivers learning experiences and positive learning outcomes by disappearing from view. Transparent technology is integrated technology.
Link to 50 uses of Inspiration™ and Kidspiration™
Link to Graphic Organizers on Classroom Toolkit
Exercises with Kidspiration™
Graphic Organizers in the Classroom on Educscapes™
Graphic Organizers at Graphhic.Org
Conducting Google™ searches for Curricular uses of Kidspiration produces over 14,000 resources. A Google™ search for Curricular uses for Open Source produces 540,000 entries. But, the Kidspiration™ resources are focused upon instruction, more targeted and more useful. The "Open Source" entries are focused upon the technology.
> On the face of it, "Open Source" would seem to win as a resource for teachers. In practice, Inspiration™ software "out classes" difficult-to-use Open Source software that is geared toward "Techie" adults, software that draws attention to itself." (No pun intended.) Multiple searches with variations of search terms containing the words "Open Source software" produce plenty of results, but fail to focus upon direct instruction in a usable way.
Sidebar
If any Classroom Toolkit reader finds a suitable search phrase that produces links to resources that teachers can actually use (besides Classroom Toolkit, of course) please comment to this article entry.
Note: The Classroom Tookit strategy is to provide Open Source instructional materials, not software development. These materials are developed in a modular format to save time for teachers. Once teachers salvage some personal time; instead of being trapped in the personal drudgery of daily lesson planning, teachers can devote more energy and focus upon improving personal teaching skills.
The Professional Development "Snowball"
The other area that Kidspiration™ beats Open Source solutions is in the area of professional development.
Kidspiration™ focuses upon creative and innovation ideas for moving the curriculum towards higher-order learning skills. The Open Source "Techie strategy" focuses upon saving money with software that can be "tinkered with."…that is, software that allows programmers to rewrite its "source code."
Teachers to Open Source Developers: "Who cares if we can rewrite software source code? We don't have the time or know-how to do that, and we don't want to learn. We love children, and we want our time to be spent communicating with children, and teaching them. We don't want to spend our time interacing with a computer screen. Just make the software do what students and teachers need, don't show off your technical prowess. We dont' care about 'technology for technology's sake,' and never will."
Sidebar
This "stilted" focus upon "free and cheap" leads to the "biggest sin" of the Open Source for Education Movement; i.e., forgetting to spend about one-third of the project budget upon instructional-focused (not-software-focused) professional development. See the Classroom Toolkit articles…
Teachers to IT Departments: You have Professional Development Homework
Lack of Educational Intelligence: The Major Problem with Open Source Software
Teachers to Open Source Advocates: "You have Homework!"
But, Inspiration™ Software has a full range of professional developement options that focus upon instructional outcomes.
Sidebar
Kidspiration™ professional development sources include:
The Inspiration™ Software Professional Development resources
Teacher Created Projects from the University of Wisconsin
Using Kidspiration™ in the Classroom
Kidspiration™ Make and Take
Kidspiration™ Free Trial
But, don't take our word for it. Download a free trial of Kidspiration™ now!
Download a free trial of Kidspiration™ now…
