Webspiration



 Webspirationis from the same people who developed Inspiration, a popular graphical organizer application used in many classrooms. If you have ever used Inspiration as a graphical organizer or for brainstorming, you will quickly master a similar set of tools in[| Webspiration]. [|Webspiration] can be used as a graphical organizer, for brainstorming and for organizing ideas.

=**Connections to Strategies**=
 * Similarities and Differences //-// create a visual for students to sort and classify ideas or concepts; create a Venn diagram to visually illustrate similarities and differences between two topics
 * Cues, Questions and Advanced Organizers //-// brainstorm everything a class knows about a topic and then organize the ideas into similar groups
 * Summarizing & Note Taking //-// Record and summarize the key ideas from a reading or lecture using the outline tool
 * Cooperative Learning //-// create a collaborative graphical organizer with all group members allowed to contribute or edit each other's information
 * Nonlinguistic Representation //-// use images to demonstrate and label the steps in the water or carbon cycle

This 5-minute video tutorial gives an overview of many of the features of [|Webspiration]. While this tutorial focuses on concept mapping, keep in mind that [|Webspiration] can be used in many other ways to organize and sort ideas and information.

= = = = =Activity - Use Webspiration for Similarities and Difference= > > = =
 * 1) Webspiration will be used to compare similarities and differences between two or more topics. The topics you select should relate to your curriculum and grade level. Create a diagram which allows students to sort, compare, or categorize.
 * 1) Start by creating a free account in Webspiration.
 * 2) Create your diagram using the the step-by-step instructions - **[|Webspiration.pdf]**
 * 3) When the diagram is finished it can be shared. A URL is provided and if you open the website, a link is provided to get the embed code.
 * 4) Post this link or embed your diagram onto your //Similarities and Differences// page on your wiki.

and also to the **[|Webspiration Quick Start Guide]**
 * For additional help with this activity, refer to the step-by-step instructions: [|Webspiration.pdf]**

Extension (optional)
= =
 * 1) Use Webspiration to brainstorm on a topic, maybe as part of a KWL - sharing everything the students know about a topic. Use the Rapidfire tool.
 * 2) Have your students create their own Webspiration account and for collaborative planning or brainstorming.
 * 3) Use Webspiration as a prewriting planning tool to organize main ideas.
 * 4) Post URLs to examples of student Webspiration projects or other Webspiration projects you have done in your wiki.

=Similar Tools=

This amazing UK based graphical organizer program requires an account and email validation to save. Entirely free, with a nice collection of ready made guides (including guides in Welsh.) I had some issues opening a new guide in Internet Explorer but it worked fine using Firefox. Allows uploading of .jpg images and sequencing to create step by step guides. Nice program worth exploring.

Text2Mindmap is a simple text to graphical organizer (mind map) application with no login or account options. It's easy to use by entering text with indented text for ideas which is related to the idea above it. No collaboration options. Simple color and line thickness options. Finished mind maps may be downloaded as a .jpg image.

**Creately**
Creately is a free visual organizer program with a nice collection of K-12 related templates. It has a free and premium version and an abundance of tools and collaboration options. It has an annoying feedback popup when exiting, but otherwise, it's a feature rich application with free and premium account options.

**WiseMapping**
An easy to learn mapping program which requires a login and email validation. Best for a hierarchial design where top layer symbols have lower level symbols below them. Create relationships by simply dragging one symbol on top of another. Can collaboration and publish to the web. Allows the turning on/off lower level symbols with a click. No option to label links.

**Gliffy**
Gliffy is an online graphical organizer similar to Inspiration. It is jammed packed with symbols and allows users to easily create, share, and collaborate. Users can create and share diagrams, flow charts, brainstorming and more. It allows collaboration, but does not support multiple users working on the same diagram at the same time. A user can share a diagram and another user can work on the same diagram. Refreshing is a little clunky, often requiring a user to log back in to have a diagram refreshed. Gliffy offers free accounts and premium accounts. The free account limits users to 5 diagrams. The $30 premium account provides additional features.

**Bubbl.us**
A very nice free brainstorming program. Users are limited to rounded rectangles and collaboration is weak. You have to try it out just so you can delete a bubble to see it disappear in a puff of smoke.

**Mindomo**
Another alternative with both free and premium versions. A community library of maps is available for everyone to access. No realtime collaboration.

**Mindmeister**
An online collaboration tools which allows synchronous users to collaborate on the same diagram. It also provides both free and premium accounts. The limitation is that the diagrams support lines with text and small icons. You give up the cool symbols Inspiration using educators have become familiar using.