Making diagrams can be fun with a little knowledge and Inspiration

Today I had my first experience creating a teaching aid with Inspiration 9 software, and I have to say I am extremely impressed. I was able to present the information from an entire unit of a fifth-grade science textbook into one web diagram, while having fun in the process.


I chose to create a diagram featuring animal adaptations to their environment, and I was able to demonstrate physical and behavioral adaptations, and how some of these adaptations are caused by climate. I was even able to link the diagram to a relevant online game. This project was part of a technology class assignment, but it did not feel like homework. When I was done with my diagram, I even found myself playing with additional features of the software. I’m now looking forward to using the map feature in future lesson plans, and will being using the outline feature to organize my next paper.


As I am a student myself, I feel I really should take advantage of Inspiration to create my own study guides and outlines. After all, my first-hand knowledge of the software will also help me guide my future students through its features. Since the software is interactive and has visual and auditory applications, it can also help me meet the needs of a diverse student population. Inspiration is also sufficiently simple and user-friendly to make it a realistic tool for students.


I have never thought of myself as “technologically savvy,” but Inspiration was so easy to use that I had no difficulty creating my diagram, and I felt a great sense of accomplishment and competence when I viewed my completed work. The program allowed me to organize the information in a personally meaningful way, and to use my creativity to design the layout, choose my colors, and find my graphics from provided libraries and external sources. It would work for a variety of academic subjects, but is especially useful for explaining scientific concepts and cycles.


I will admit that I have often had difficulty interpreting some of the visuals offered in science textbooks. I typically get lost trying to follow the multiple arrows linking unlabeled illustrations. Thanks to a lifetime of being confused by graphics, I was especially thrilled to have an opportunity to organize scientific information in a way that made sense to me personally, and I think many students will find the Inspiration software useful for the same reason.