Inspiration 9

I recently came across a mind mapping tool which I immediately became excited about. Inspiration 9 was developed by Inspiration Software Inc. and its 
 potential for use by educators, students and teachers is enormous.  This software allows the use of a vast array of visual activities including webbing, concept mapping, organizing multimedia projects, planning, and brainstorming, and can be applied across the curriculum. (View examples)

Inspiration 9, available for use with Windows and Mac, has a user friendly interface which consists of Diagram, Map and Outline views.  Each allows for a simple and quick start.    Each view is integrated so that changes in one view are automatically made in another.  Switching between views is just one click away. Included is Presentation Manager which makes it easy to create compelling presentations that may be viewed on any computer by downloading Inspiration Presenter for free.

There are over one hundred cross-curricular templates which can be modified, but new templates can also be created.  A wide variety of symbols are available for creating images that are colourful and have impact.  One easy click allows the user to add links, ideas, hyperlinks, external movies, audios, pictures and slides.  Slides are automatically generated based on the content of the map, diagram or outline and can be manipulated after compilation.  Online and built-in libraries provide access to images and a Word Guide assists the writing process.  To top it all off, a click of the mouse transfers documents to Microsoft Word.
(View video)

Microsoft Digital Literacy

As teachers in Trinidad and Tobago move towards acquiring technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK), the Microsoft Digital Literacy tutorial may prove useful.  Appropriate for the teenage or adult learner, this linear tutorial offers entire instructional sequences in Computer Basics, The Internet and the World Wide Web, Productivity Programs, Computer Security and Privacy. and Digital Lifestyles.  An advanced curriculum includes Creating an Internet Email Account, and Writing a great resume by using Microsoft Word. 

This tutorial offers several advantages:

•  Online and offline options for use
• Gives a choice of curriculum version based on your version of Microsoft Office
• Features include a full text search capability, bookmark, note taking, help, community forum, and study sheets for each module
• Action buttons and toggle feature support easy navigation through the content using an icon view or text view
• Multimedia - contains interactive content, simulations and practice, text, appropriate graphics, videos, tables, animations, games and demonstrations thereby appealing to different types of learners
• Detailed course description, course objectives and course prerequisites to assist learners in choosing courses relevant to their needs
• Assessments which can be done at any point during the learning process 
• Allows thorough user control

Snapshot of screen

E Beam Technology

The Ministry of Education of Trinidad and Tobago recently distributed eBeam Systems to select Secondary Schools as part of the Secondary Education Modernization Programme. Let us have a look at how effective this system is for classrooms.

The system distributed by the MOE included software and hardware in the form of an eBeam receiver, an interactive stylus and an Interact software compact disc.  It is quite portable with the receiver measuring 6" across and weighing approximately 4.5 oz.  This allows the system to be moved from room to room and to be stored safely after use.  This is beneficial for schools where property damage and theft by students are issues.

The eBeam system basically turns any whiteboard into an interactive electronic whiteboard and allows the teacher or student to access anything on a connected computer from the board. The teacher does not have to stand behind the computer nor does she have to leave the front of the class. This allows the teacher to focus more on her learners. For a complete overview of the features of the eBeam system, please visit

http://training.luidia.com/certification/?id=34 

So did the government make a wise investment in the eBeam? The answer to that would be a resounding "Yes". This technology can be applied to every class and to every area of the curriculum, not just one subject area. Lessons are enhanced by the use of graphics, text, images, animation and sounds which appeal to learners of all types. The easily accessible pen and text tools allow the teacher or student to record responses next to images and create a presentation right before their eyes. Students respond positively and learning becomes more enjoyble and effective. Lessons come alive with the embedded web browser which allows instant access to information on the World Wide Web.

The eBeam system saves every stroke of the stylus on the whiteboard in an electronic form on the computer. This makes review of a lesson a simple process and going back is never difficult when a student does not understand. Going over the steps in a math problem becomes an easy task, unlike using an ordinary whiteboard and having to write it all over again. The teacher can save, print, share, launch an application, browse the internet, open and close saved files, or show a slide presentation with a simple tap of the stylus.

For a report of the effect eBeam technology has had in the classroom, please visit http://news.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=34253&page=1658&catID=1633

So are there any drawbacks?  Very few.  For the system to work effectively, calibration must be done whenever the system starts up.  If this is not done accurately, accessing the tools may become frustrating since the tools you require are not the ones that open.  Minor difficulty which is easily solved by a steady hand.  Other users have complained of the suction cups being ineffective and the receiver falling off the whiteboard.  Other than that, users are quite satisfied.

 The only challenge there may be in using it in Trinidad and Tobago is the need for a computer in the room, or use of a computer lab.  The reality is that not schools have working computers that are easily accessible, and there certainly is not one in each classroom.  What makes it quite suitable for our culture is the fact that it can be removed to safety after use.  The portability and flexibility of the eBeam system makes it suitable for any classroom in any part of the world and I would highly recommend its use.

Shazara Baksh