Visual Thinking and Learning Inspiration Software Visual Thinking and Learning http://www.inspiration.com

Use Inspiration across the curriculum for: Brainstorming Webbing Diagramming Planning Critical thinking Concept mapping Organizing Outlining

Research in both educational theory and cognitive psychology tells us that visual learning is among the very best methods for teaching students of all ages how to think, and how to learn.

What is visual learning What is visual learning? - graphical ways of working with ideas and presenting information - teaches students to clarify their thinking, and to process, organize, and prioritize new information. - Visual diagrams reveal patterns, interrelationships and interdependencies. They also stimulate creative thinking.

Visual learning techniques help students: Clarify thinking. Students see how ideas are connected and realize how information can be grouped or organized. With visual learning, new concepts are more thoroughly and easily understood. Reinforce understanding. Students recreate, in their own words, what they've learned. This helps them absorb and internalize new information, giving them ownership of their ideas. Integrate new knowledge. Diagrams updated throughout a lesson prompt students to build upon prior knowledge and internalize new information. By reviewing diagrams created previously, students see how facts and ideas fit together. Identify misconceptions. Just as a concept map or web shows what students know, misdirected links or wrong connections reveal what they don't understand.

Webbing, idea mapping and concept mapping are three of the most popular visual learning methods. Webs are visual maps that show how different categories of information relate to one another. Webs provide structure for ideas and facts and give students a flexible framework for organizing and prioritizing information. Idea maps help students brainstorm, solve problems and plan their work. Idea maps connect keywords, symbols, colors and graphics to form nonlinear networks of potential ideas and thoughts. Concept maps graphically illustrate relationships between information. In a concept map, two or more concepts are linked by words that describe their relationship.

Different Ways to Use Webs A literary web helps students analyze the various literary elements (plot, characterization, theme, etc.) In a character web, students identify the traits of a central character. Comparison is one of the most basic and powerful forms of analysis. Prewriting describes the brainstorming and organizing students do before writing. Once students choose a topic, they type it in the center of a web. Then they rapidly add subtopic ideas in symbols connected to the main topic.

Samples Language Arts Science Social Studies Math

Integration Ideas

Social Studies: Pilgrim Life

Language Arts: Vocabulary

Math: Fraction Action

Science

Inspiring Links How to concept map http://www.studygs.net/mapping/ Kinds of concept maps http://classes.aces.uiuc.edu/ACES100/Mind/c-m2.html Various Graphic Organizers http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/actbank/torganiz.htm Inspiration Resources http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/inspiration.htm Hands On workshop http://www.dzfx.com/workshops/list/2/Inspiration_6-Hands-On_Workshop/ Classroom ideas http://www.spart5.k12.sc.us/TechTraining/InspirationMatrix.htm PDF of the Inspiration Symbol Library http://www.kidspiration.com/download/pdf/InspSymbolGuide.pdf