Inspiration

Name: Betty Walter School: Clear Spring Middle School Subject: Library Media Grade Level: 6-8

//Inspiration// is a useful software program designed to organize thoughts, writing, information, and to create graphic organizers. The main objective of this session is to introduce the participants to this program and demonstrate how it works in the classroom. Some of its instructional uses will be modeled. Participants will create an autobiographical graphic organizer of their own and convert it to an outline format. This introduction to //Inspiration// and its uses, will provide the basics needed to later use this program in all content area instructional programs.

__Description of proposed presentation__: Inspiration is a software tool for visual thinking, organizing, and learning. Visual learning and thinking techniques assist students in clarifying thinking, understanding concepts and integrating new information. It is used for concept mapping, outlining, webbing, creative thinking, planning, graphical organizing, brainstorming, teacher planning, etc. In this session we will provide basic instruction for the use of //Inspiration// and model some classroom uses of the program. We will give the participants some practice time to put their new found skills to use.

Objectives and learning goals for presentation: Expectation 3.0 - Collect information: Students will be able to collect information relevant to their current information need Indicator 7: Use appropriate graphic organizers or note cards to record relevant information Objective a: Continue use of graphic organizers/note cards, webbing and outlining in print and electronic formats

Expectation 4.0 - Organize and manage data/information: Students will use appropriate print, non-print, and computer/online/digital formats to organize and manage data/information.

Expectation 5.0 - Interpret Information: Students will be able to interpret information to generate new understandings and knowledge Indicator 2: Apply critical thinking and problem solving strategies Objective d: Apply strategies for visualizing