Kidspiration is an award-winning piece of educational software best known for developing thinking skills with its Picture View, literacy skills with its Writing View and numeracy skills with its Math View. It also serves as an efficient tool for teachers in creating worksheets, lesson plans and other activities for their classes.
Having tried the software myself, Kidspiration seems to be suitable for children between the ages of 5 -12 as it provides a wide range of visual aids and activities to appeal to children of different learning levels. It echoes the Constructivist Approach to education as it allows children to construct their own knowledge with simple tools to guide them along the way. It also supports the beliefs of theorists such as Lev Vygotsky as it provides students with the support necessary to master tasks that they may not yet be able to do alone, but with the interactive assistance of Kidspiration, they can effectively accomplish their goals.
Kidspiration is user-friendly with its visual workspace which invites students to explore, think and create naturally, intuitively and independently. The toolbars also have an audio interface for students who are still building on their reading skills.
Within the Math View, students can explore and practice basic Mathematical concepts. Activities are also available to assist in strengthening lessons.
Within the picture view, students can type search queries within the search bar on the left-hand tool bar. This will provide a range of pictures for them to possibly use within their workspace. Another feature allows them to create their own drawings to add to their current workspace.
They can develop their writing skills by creating linkages with their pictures to produce stories which can then be integrated into the Writing View by simply clicking the icon on the toolbar. There is also a Word Guide which acts as a Dictionary and Thesaurus to aid in the writing process; the audio guide is also at work within this feature. When they're finished, students also have the option of printing their work or finalizing within a word processor.
3 comments:
intresting..i would definately recommend this software to the parents of children i know.
very convenient way for a teacher to incorporate everyday classroom work and education technology
this is a very interesting software that i would certainly buy for my child. I can see that the software was designed to also facilitate Lev Vygotsky's theroy.
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