Digital Diagrams

For this assignment, we learned how to use Inspiration9 to create digital diagrams to organize information for various lessons.  I chose to do mine for a 3rd grade lesson on rock types:

What went well:

• I enjoyed the program and thought it was easy to learn and navigate.
• There were many great images and educational elements built into the system, so I did not have to go out to find pictures, for example, of the three rock types.
• I could realistically see myself using this in my classroom one day for creating graphic organizers for students to fill in, making digital diagrams similar to this one, and even having my students use it as well.
• I enjoyed spending time working on this project because I am a creative, visual learner myself so it was enjoyable being able to organize information in this way and envision myself teaching it one day.

And not so well:

• The project became a little tedious at times while trying to do things such as space things evenly, adding small text for linking words, etc.
• I ran into some trouble in the beginning trying to find appropriate content that would be enhanced by digital diagram such as this.  Once I found a good topic with subtopics and details, the diagram was easy to envision. 
• It helped to focus on the important details, but choosing the brief phrasing to put into the boxes was difficult at times as well. 

Potential uses in my classroom:

I definitely see myself using digital diagrams and graphic organizers in my classroom because as I mentioned above, I am a visual learners and having information presented in a brief, organized, visually pleasing way is very helpful to me.  I think it will also be beneficial to many of my students as well as aid my instruction of various lessons. Some specific examples include:

• Other science topics like the rocky types that include categories such as types of animals or plants, climates, etc.
• Character maps for stories we read
• Having the students use Inspiration or Kidspiration to create their own diagrams

Overall, I did enjoy completing this project.  I hope, and think, that as my teaching career progresses I will recognize content that lends itself to specific teaching methods.  As I learn more useful tools such as Inspiration, I will be able to select effective means of instruction which will benefit my students and their learning.