Kidspiration and Inspiration

These tools are pretty much my favorite thing that we have learned thus far. I really enjoyed playing around and experimenting with the programs because I think it's important for us as teachers, to try the things we have our students do. This way we have the experience and can help them if needed because we actually know what we're talking about. I've had some teachers in the past who didn't know the assignment/program so when we as students had questions they were not able to help us. Not only is this frustrating but it makes the students think that because the teacher doesn't know it we as students, don't need to either.
I think that one of the best aspects of this tool is that there is one for older grades and one for younger grades. This way each grade can work from their own skill and expertise level. For example, I love on Inspiration how the diagrams are more complex and intriguing. This way the students can think critically while completing any assignment given to them. On Inspiration I played around with the dream poem diagram. This was so fun! It takes something I already know how to do but presents it in a new, interesting way. I already knew how diagrams work but to be able to put pictures and thoughts into it was a great way to add personality to something so generic. Also I like the fact that the templates are there for them to use. This way the students can focus more on the content then the actual layout which will make for a better performance from them in the long run.
In Kidspiration I like that the first thing it brings up is an option for the students to make their own work or to add and change one that is already available. Also there are different subjects that they can choose from to help them know what to do. One of my favorite things in Kidspiration is the math adding it up activity. Usually I steer clear of math because I do not like it but this activity is very user friendly and fun. Even if all the students have to do this activity i like that each and every one will be different since they can use colors, as well as any number they want depending on the assignment. The one that I did had to be adding and the number had to add to six so this makes it a little more limited but still fun. Plus I like at the top how it tells them exactly what they need to do. This allows the students to always be able to see the instructions instead of having to keep asking someone what to do.
All in all I enjoyed these programs very much. They are user friendly and fun for the whole class! It's a new way to look at 'busywork'. By incorporating these activities the assignments will not seem so time consuming and boring. Making it so the students actually want to do them!