Although Kidspiration is issued with a very good paper-based guide many schools purchase additional user licences and the paper copy is not always to hand when it is needed. Hence teachers, tutors and older students should consider browsing through the guides which are included as Adobe Acrobat files.

To access these documents load Kidspiration and once the application opens move to the Help option on the menu bar. Click on Help and choose Kidspiration documentation. As all three guides are .pdf files your computer will require Adobe® Reader® to be installed. You may also open the files by left clicking on the shaded icons on this page or download them onto your computer by right clicking on the shaded icons and choosing the Save Target As option.

The User's Guide contains 10 chapters covering all the main features. With the file loaded you can choose which pages to read or print. When students are using a particular feature the relevant page could be copied from this guide and displayed in a prominent position near the computer.

Click on the User's Guide image for a fuller description.

The Symbol Guide presents all the symbols by category in full colour format ideal for printing, especially as a pre-computer lesson with younger students. They can be shown the symbols available to them for their chosen topic and start developing a plan as to which symbols will exemplify their diagram. This strategy can be supported by making use of the Teacher's Options menu to restrict the Symbols available to students.

Click on the Symbol Guide image for a fuller description.

The Activity Guide holds copies of all the templates that are available from the Start Menu or File Open menu. Once the Acrobat file is opened any template can be found and a hard copy taken of the relevant page.

The students could be presented with a copy before they attempt to create a web or concept map with Kidspiration. This approach is likely to stimulate discussion, especially for students new to the application or for those children requiring additional support. However, please don't use this approach all the time as it can restrict the user and will not allow the full impact of this visual learning tool to be realised.

Click on the Activity Guide image for a fuller description.