Inspiration Notes by Jim Birney

Brief Notes by Jim Birney, Fife Education, Scotland.

Inspiration offers an intuitive interface within which users can develop ideas and, using the link options, can organise these ideas into easy-to-follow diagrams. The topic covered is only dependent on the user's imagination. This page includes sample files demonstrating this versatility and offers suggestions that the approach may differ from a full web to a web with hidden links and where users may be involved in class discussion or set individual exercises.

Sample 1

First, let's look at some sample files chosen as exemplars of the flexibility of Inspiration.

This sample illustrates how features linked by a common bond can be presented in a clear, concise and easily understood format.

An appropriate choice of colours, links and images help develop the topic and can represent a hierarchy of related information.

File 1 as opposite

Note: Environmental Studies in this web is related directly to Geography, History and Modern Studies. In other countries some of these subjects are grouped differently, for example under Earth Sciences and Humanities.

To extend this work more boxes could be added in the diagram view (above) or in the outline view (below).

Additional features could be added to each of the four main sections in this view.

Certain students may prefer this arrangement, especially those with a learning style favouring a verbal-linguistic approach.

It is intended to include more references to, and examples of different learning styles and multiple intelligences in this website in the near future.

Sample 2

This sample is based on a PowerPoint file produced by Balwearie High School's Modern Studies department in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland.

The final web may be presented as shown opposite or it may be built up by hiding the different sections and saving the file with only the top box (Homework in Standard Grade) visible on loading the file.

File 1 as opposite

File 2 with hidden links

Hint: If you load File 2 note how the images are opened with the associated box. This is achieved by linking the images to the box at a level above the one asociated with the images so that clicking on this higher level box opens the next level and the image(s). The visual effect is achieved by making the link line colour for the images the same as the background colour, thus making them invisible.

Sample 3

The diagram illustrates how the different box designs from the Symbols Palette can enhance the layout and be used in a variety of ways. In this instance to present a drag and drop exercise.

Created by Elaine Carey, Tanshall Primary School, Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland based on a template inckuded with Inspiration.

File 1 as opposite

Template collection

There is a comprehensive template library included with the application. In the Humanities Template folder you will find:

Choose any of these templates to begin a study to support Geography, History or Modern Studies. It is also worthwhile looking in the other template folders for ideas. Geography teachers could look in the Science folder as this is where Earth Science templates are located. All teachers could look in the Literacy folder for essay writing support.

Sample 4

This is another example of using the Link tool to assist the learning process by allowing the teacher (or student) to decide which theme to explore further without being distracted by the other themes in a study which could prove complex if all the facts were revealed at the same time.

Population and Migration in Scotland in the 19th century.

In this example the various sections can be opened to reveal the associated facts then closed again to focus discussion on another section. Finally, the whole concept map can be viewed.

File 1 with hidden links

These files are based on mind maps created by senior pupils in the History department of Waid Academy, Anstruther, Fife, Scotland in 2004.

Sandra Gilmartin, principal teacher of History.

Population and Migration Exercise

There is no need to present a completed Inspiration diagram to students. Instead, a series of boxes holding facts or descriptions can be placed into one file and the pupils asked to reorganise the boxes to match the headings which are included in a separate colour as a means of identifying them from the facts.

File 1 Task

In Scotland, mind maps have formed the basis of a collection of revision guides covering Standard Grade national exams (sat by 16 year olds).

This is just a snapshot of the much larger file holding more green boxes containing separate facts on this topic. Opening the file will reveal the complete collection. How the contents of each green box was revealed depends on the teaching strategy employed. Perhaps the facts were discovered by pupils involved in independent reading; the facts might have emerged from a brainstorming session or might have been distributed by the teacher. Whatever the source, the task is now to rearrange them into meaningful sets linked to the five headings.

The teacher at this point has the opportunity to control how the task is allocated. This could be students working independently, collaboratively in groups or all together as a class using the Inspiration diagram as a revision instrument. Combine this approach with an interactive whiteboard and the potential is enormous and it works!

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