Inspired by Inspiration
Inspiration is a powerful graphic organizer program. It also has other uses, some of which are discussed on this page.
 
Inspiration’s ability to present information in a graphic organizer view as well as outline view offers options for vocabulary instruction that ‘thinks outside of the box.”  Thanks to Dr. Lynn Anderson-Inman and the University of Oregon, who has spent years researching the effectiveness of this tool!
 
In outline view, using the set-up described in the handout and videos, the learner can use Inspiration to study new vocabulary words, organize words according to alphabetical order or other orders such as level of understanding, importance to the topic being studied, etc.
 
What is the outline view?
Most educators use Inspiration as a graphic organizer. One of the ‘view’ options is the ‘outline’ view. I learned to use  the outline view as a pre-writing tool. Covered on this page is how to use Inspiration as a vocabulary learning and practicing tool.
 
 
How does it work in the classroom?
The outline view makes an easy template for writing down definitions, studying the definitions of new words, and working with visual images to support the learning of a new word.
 
Teacher created templates:   The teacher can create a template and share it with the students. This is easily done with students having laptops, in a computer lab, or on shared computers.  I have also seen powerful examples of teachers using a projector and a Smartboard in a whole-class activity.
 
How do I learn how to do this?
You can download the handout and see the step-by-step directions, watch the videos or do both!  Listed below are the ‘learning activity’ handouts and video options! The videos are in small chunks and may be replayed as often as needed!
 
Learning Activities:
 
HANDOUTS FOR DOWNLOADING
  1.  Printable File: (pdf file)  WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON
 
VIDEOS ON PAGE (click to view)
  1. Video 1: Overview of the outline tool
  2. Video 2: Reordering a vocab list
  3. Video 3: Color and size settings
  4. Video 4: Copy & Paste
  5. Videos 5, 6, & 7 are on the next page to make it easier for accessing the pages.
 
If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Reader, download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free!
 
 
Inspiration as a powerful vocabulary tool
Video 1: An overview of the outline view in use
Video 2: Changing the order of the list
Video 3: Setting text color and size to make the outline visually appealing and easy to read
Video 4: Make the first word exactly as you want- then copy and paste the settings until you have an outline template!
Video 5: What is a note and how is it used?