Concept Map
Ideas:
1. Understanding plot development: Use of graphic organizers to construct a visual of a character's problems and then possible solutions-relation to real life situations.
2. Graphic organizers to guide reading and comprehension-student development of graphic organizers as they are reading a novel to organize the information.
3. Determining cause and effect, making comparisons, decoding ideas, generating questions, evaluating information, testing one's knowledge-using Inspiration to meet curriculum standards.
4. Vocabulary graphic organizers-ie: working with roots and meanings-different words with the same meanings or use of one word and branches of antonyms, synonyms, sentences, and derivation.
Using graphic organizers in an English classroom is useful because of the amount of information students are often faced with in the different sections of language arts. Graphic organizers in the Inspiration program are set up to be simple for students to use, which is important in the junior high school classroom, where I intend to teach. Working through novels and literature can often be overwhelming for students and for teachers. There are so many different aspects to cover and understand in full comprehension, so a way of organizing the information would be useful. Students can work the information into their schemas and teachers can see where students are having a difficult time comprehending. For example, a graphic organizer for a novel could include setting, conflict, character, and events broken down into sections for students.
The section titled NCLB shows that the Inspiration program is designed to work in close coordination with the No Child Left Behind laws. Using the program supports many learning goals defined by all states. Inspiration helps integrate technology into the classroom and improves instruction and assessment across all curriculums. Research has proven that visual learning is one of the best methods of teaching valuable comprehension, thinking and writing skills. By combining the power of visual learning with speech support, Kidspiration and Inspiration leverage the strength of multiple learning styles to improve students' comprehension and retention. Visual learning helps students clarify thinking, reinforce understanding, integrate new knowledge, and identify misconceptions.
Impact in the English content area:
Concept mapping is a wonderful tool for vocabulary. Origins, definitions, sentences, antonyms, and synonyms can all be linked to the word, helping students to connect to it and understand it in many different ways. Any form of language and the components could be used in a concept map. Grammar instruction and rules could be linked in a large classroom concept map. The visual of this activity would help students who learn visually or through kinesthetic methods to make connections and to see the ways the rules interrelate. For literature the concept map is another way for students to showcase their understanding of the plot, conflicts, characters, setting, etc. Again, this is a wonderful way for students to see the visual characteristics of text that they are reading in class. The more activities the class does with the text, the better their understanding. Creating concept maps individually or in groups will help students gain new levels of understanding, thereby giving them more to talk about during class discussions, raising the level of learning for all students.
Time to familiarize and use effectively:
The concept mapping software is easy to use, even for a techno-phobe like me. I had a lot of fun creating a concept map for a vocabulary word. In fact, I am planning on setting aside some funds so that I can purchase the Inspiration software for my home computer. The minimalist aspect of technology definitely exists within this program, as it is very easy to use and requires little training. Much of what would need to be learned could be completed simply through playing with the program and working through trial and error. Overall, I think that this software could be quickly and effectively used within a week or two in the classroom, with me being able to answer most questions that students may have.
1. Understanding plot development: Use of graphic organizers to construct a visual of a character's problems and then possible solutions-relation to real life situations.
2. Graphic organizers to guide reading and comprehension-student development of graphic organizers as they are reading a novel to organize the information.
3. Determining cause and effect, making comparisons, decoding ideas, generating questions, evaluating information, testing one's knowledge-using Inspiration to meet curriculum standards.
4. Vocabulary graphic organizers-ie: working with roots and meanings-different words with the same meanings or use of one word and branches of antonyms, synonyms, sentences, and derivation.
Using graphic organizers in an English classroom is useful because of the amount of information students are often faced with in the different sections of language arts. Graphic organizers in the Inspiration program are set up to be simple for students to use, which is important in the junior high school classroom, where I intend to teach. Working through novels and literature can often be overwhelming for students and for teachers. There are so many different aspects to cover and understand in full comprehension, so a way of organizing the information would be useful. Students can work the information into their schemas and teachers can see where students are having a difficult time comprehending. For example, a graphic organizer for a novel could include setting, conflict, character, and events broken down into sections for students.
The section titled NCLB shows that the Inspiration program is designed to work in close coordination with the No Child Left Behind laws. Using the program supports many learning goals defined by all states. Inspiration helps integrate technology into the classroom and improves instruction and assessment across all curriculums. Research has proven that visual learning is one of the best methods of teaching valuable comprehension, thinking and writing skills. By combining the power of visual learning with speech support, Kidspiration and Inspiration leverage the strength of multiple learning styles to improve students' comprehension and retention. Visual learning helps students clarify thinking, reinforce understanding, integrate new knowledge, and identify misconceptions.
Impact in the English content area:
Concept mapping is a wonderful tool for vocabulary. Origins, definitions, sentences, antonyms, and synonyms can all be linked to the word, helping students to connect to it and understand it in many different ways. Any form of language and the components could be used in a concept map. Grammar instruction and rules could be linked in a large classroom concept map. The visual of this activity would help students who learn visually or through kinesthetic methods to make connections and to see the ways the rules interrelate. For literature the concept map is another way for students to showcase their understanding of the plot, conflicts, characters, setting, etc. Again, this is a wonderful way for students to see the visual characteristics of text that they are reading in class. The more activities the class does with the text, the better their understanding. Creating concept maps individually or in groups will help students gain new levels of understanding, thereby giving them more to talk about during class discussions, raising the level of learning for all students.
Time to familiarize and use effectively:
The concept mapping software is easy to use, even for a techno-phobe like me. I had a lot of fun creating a concept map for a vocabulary word. In fact, I am planning on setting aside some funds so that I can purchase the Inspiration software for my home computer. The minimalist aspect of technology definitely exists within this program, as it is very easy to use and requires little training. Much of what would need to be learned could be completed simply through playing with the program and working through trial and error. Overall, I think that this software could be quickly and effectively used within a week or two in the classroom, with me being able to answer most questions that students may have.
posted by Stephanie | 11:38 AM
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