Learning Tools For The On-line Student

By: Diana Squillace

Email: [email protected]

Educational Software

Power Point and Inspiration are just two of the popular software used in  both on-line and face-to-face classrooms.  Power Point and Inspiration are used frequently by educators and by students for numerous projects and learning experiences.

What Is a Power Point?

Power Point is a Microsoft product that is designed to create exciting slide shows.  This software is great for teachers who want to liven up their lesson plans with color, animation and sound effects.  Power Point comes with fifteen tool bars by which are fun and easy to learn to use.  Because of it's user friendliness, teachers can also assign students to use Power Point as a vehicle for project presentations.   

Not only is the Power Point fun, colorful and creative, it is an excellent learning tool.  As each Power Point is created, an outline is simultaneously being created on a screen next to the artwork.  Or, if one prefers, the outline can be created first which simultaneously lays out the frames in the order in which the designer wishes.  However, if one would like to change the order of the frames, that can be done easily by clicking on the animation program and making changes on the window that pops up. 

What is Inspiration?

Inspiration.inc is a visual learning tool that allows for students to strengthen their critical thinking skills while creating educational diagrams and outlines.  With two levels of software available (Inspiration for older students and Kidspiration for younger students), all age groups can learn new skills.  Inspiration's diagram and outline environments work together.  If a student builds and outline, he or she can click on diagram to see how the diagram has progressed.  Or, if a student is a more visual learner, he/she might prefer to build a diagram first and then click on outline to see how the outline has developed.

Resources

Inspiration Diagram by Diana Squillace  (example)

Inspiration Outline by Diana Squillace   (example)

Inspiration Teacher's Guide

Power Point

Power Point Example by Diana Squillace

Website designed by Diana Squillace.
For problems or questions regarding this web page email  Diana Squillace.
Last updated: April 04, 2003.