Kidspiration/Inspiration

Rowena,
As always when considering a purchase such as this technology, ask what it is you want your child/student to be able to do? What is the best way for her to be able to do it? If it is determined that the use of graphic organizing software is indicated, and you have identified what it is you want the child to be able to do, you can then decide which program is best.
Will she be trained in how to best use the software by the school or by you? Will templates be set up for her for success with completing written work?
As you can tell, I’m not one to “throw” tools at a student without knowing what it is you want to improve and without making sure that someone is trained in its successful use and integration. Otherwise, you just have another bookend on your shelf.

Nicole has very limited writing skills — partially impacted by her LD and partially by teacheritis. We’re working with a very capable tutor, and are seeing significant progress. However, in her new school she will be required to prepare several reports — something she has never done before. I have found that she produces better writing when she uses a web format to organize her thoughts. Inspiration and Kidspiration both offer very good webbing tools, which can then be simply translated to an outline, and right into Word for completion. We’ve used the free trials, and I have found both my daughters using this program successfully. The issue is whether or not the more simple version would be better, or whether or not I should go ahead and work with her in the more “adult” version. I hesitate to buy both — they aren’t that expensive, but with all the tutoring money for extras is somewhat limited.

I have heard good things about combining Inspiration with Draft Builder (check out http://www.donjohnston.com for info about both).
I would also look for teaching materials that would guide her tutor into activities to use the stuff. The tools make teaching easier… but writing is just difficult. She’s not going to get to the “writitng reports” stage directly.
I would lean towards the “big” version since then she’ll have it through the years.

I agree with Sue in terms of going with Inspiration. It’s a tool that will “grow” with her and will be more age appropriate as she gets into middle school. Also, many schools currently use Inspiration.
It’s great that she already has used it and you can see that she benefits from it.
Draft:Builder is less visual and provides greater writing support and is especially beneficial for older students (MS and HS). It’s also $150.00.
As Sue states, the software is just a tool. She will require training in its use as well as continued writing instruction and support.
Good luck, there are some great features built into the program.

I have used Inspiration with this age student very successfully. I think of it as a ‘structure of knowledge’ tool. Putting the bits and pieces into a whole concept.

Inspiration 7.5 is simpler to use than the older versions.

Most fifth graders be able to construct an organizer from scratch using inspiration but most would need help matching a template for the job simply because some of the templates are complex, especially in the older versions. They are intended for complex reasoning rather than simple note-taking/concept mapping.

I think you would be happy with Inspiration. Sounds like you may need a little more time with the demos. Get past the cute tutorials and actually try it with content from your daughter’s curriculum. Try mapping a story plot or summarising a character or outlining a social studies concept. You will soon know for yourself.

My son who is ADHD has a handwriting problem with motor speed. He is about 1-1/2 years behind other kids his age with the ability to print, and he is way below that with the ability to write in cursive (06 month developmental age). The problem with handwriting in called dysgraphia.

For 6th Grade, I looked at Inspiration, and Kidspiration. There’s a really nice article on LD online that talks about the use of Inspiration in the classroom, and how it benefits kids with LD’s.

I feel the Inspiration 7.5 program would be better for a student going to middle school. Inspiration 7.5 is the program we bought. Inspiration 7.5 has the ability to let you link to the internet. I’m not sure Kidspiration has this option, but maybe it does. For us, the more advance program was better.

Inspiration has been such a help for us!!!! My son used this program very much for his history class. The students were asked to do a lot of compare/contrast assignments, and double bubble type mind mapping charts. The teacher had this program in her classroom, and my child was allowed to use this in class to take notes / make charts, etc. It certainly helped him to have some ‘quality’ looking papers. He was even able to make some charts and timelines for the teacher to use for transparancies, and print out notes for students who were absent from class that day. The best thing about the Inspiration program is that it helped my son recall information better. If he had to write about some of the subjects he had charted, he had the ability to turn those diagrams into a working and editable outline for writing essays, which really helped. I do have to brag a bit - the History teacher awarded my son her ‘Teacher’s Choice’ award for the best student in the class the entire year! What an ego boost!!

My son has a hard time organizing thoughts, and getting them from head to paper. Being allowed to type in class, has definately been a lifesaver. When the worry of having to form ‘correct’ letters and the mechanics of writing get in the way with handwriting, it’s a lot easier to get through assignments with the use of computers. I’m thankful for the teachers that allow my child to use the computer during school for his classwork. It makes such a huge difference for kids like this to be able to actually complete some work during class instead of having clomework to finish at home later.

There is an Inspiration Program now available for Palm Pilots. I’m thinking it would be neat to use a Palm Pilot at school. You can purchase an inexpensive fold-up keyboard to plug in to the Palm that will let you type. This might be something my son could really use in 8th grade - when the writing effort for some classes will be more demanding.

Next year, I plan to have my son keep up with reading assignments by having him chart chapter summaries for the books he’s reading in class.

Check out Scholastic Software Club. They frequently offer both programs for a reasonable price $49.95. www.scholastic.com/swclubs