Resources for:

1. Ethical Use of Technology
2. Web Searching
3. Telecommunications
4. Web Page Development
5. Idea Development & Presentation Software
6. Spreadsheets
7. Desktop Publishing
8. Assistive Technology
9. Database Management

Idea Development Links
Kidspiration™ and Inspiration® are two creations from Inspiration Software that allow students and teachers to organize thoughts and represent ideas using both diagrammatic and outline approaches. Kidspiration™ inspires students in grades K-5 to see, organize, and develop their ideas. Inspiration® is used by grades 6 through adult to brainstorm, plan, organize, outline, diagram, and write. Either of these programs (or similar programs such as OmniGraffle 2) may be used to demonstrate ITPS Competency E.

Resources: Teacher education majors may download free, 30-day trial program files for both Kidspiration and Inspiration from the Inspiration.com website. Please note that these are large files (~13 MB) and that a high speed network connection is recommended for downloading. You may still contact Inspiration Software directly through their website for a CD if necessary. The CD contains both Mac and PC formatted versions of Kidspiration and Inspiration.

Both Kidspiration™ and Inspiration® are extremely user friendly. Both come with extensive tool sets, templates and outlining features, and allow for audio integration and HTML creation. Both programs have Quick Start Tutorials that can have students using even the most powerful features of the programs and working proficiently within 45 minutes. Tutorials may be downloaded as PDF’s at the company's web site.

The following links will take you to off-site resources to help you learn more about how teachers and students can use Inspiration software to develop their ideas. When you click on a link, it will open in a new browser window.

• Here is the home page for Inspiration software where you can download a free trial version of the program and get your questions answered.
  http://www.inspirationsoftware.com/home.cfm

• This is the "Frequently Asked Questions" page from Inspiration. It answers your questions about the software and provides tutorials and demonstrations.
  http://www.inspirationsoftware.com/faq/index.cfm
  

• This site from Internet4Classrooms has some great examples of how some teachers have used Inspiration software.
  http://www.internet4classrooms.com/inspiration.htm

• Here is another site that features Inspiration tutorials to teach visual organization and to incorporate it into your teaching.
  http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/tpfs98/mod3.html

• This site is from the Acadia Institute for Teaching and Technology.
  http://aitt.acadiau.ca/tutorials/Inspiration/index.htm

Presentation Software Links
The following links will take you to off-site resources to help you learn more about making presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint. When you click on a link, it will open in a new browser window.

• This page features tips and tricks, "how to" articles, books about using PowerPoint, and other useful information.
  http://www.microsoft.com/office/powerpoint/using/default.asp
  
  
• This Microsoft site offers educators downloadable documents to master PowerPoint 97.
  http://www.microsoft.com/education/?ID=PPT97Tutorial
  
  
• This site answers frequently asked questions about PowerPoint.
  http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/
  
  
• Here are more tips, tricks, and tutorials as well as other useful links.
  http://desktoppub.about.com/msubpowerpoint.htm
  
  
• This site from Internet4Classrooms not only has great tutorials but also has some excellent examples of presentations you can download to get ideas.
  http://www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line_powerpoint.htm
  
  
• A series of lessons for Microsoft PowerPoint from the Bay City Public Schools in Bay City, MI.
  http://www.bcschools.net/staff/PowerPointHelp.htm