Copying Images from Inspiration

You can copy images from the Inspiration image library to use in other programs.
Open Inspiration and pull the image onto your organizer from the Symbol Palette.
Right mouse click on the image and select "Copy".
Open the Paint program in Microsoft Windows (on all MCPS computers). Paste the image into the Paint program.
Resize the image or frame around the image if needed. Save the image where you want to access it later. When you save, choose ".jpg" or ".bmp".

Handwriting Recognition with Inspiration and a Promethean Board

Inspiration can be an effective tool to model pre-writing, brainstorming and thinking with a group using the Promethean board. Inspiration has a handwriting recognition area that works with the Promethean board ACTIVstudio software, allowing a teacher to write on the board with the stylus and have it transferred into an Inspiration diagram.

To use this feature:
1. Start ACTIVstudio (or ACTIVprimary) and click the handwriting button on the tools palette to display the handwriting control palette.
2. Start Inspiration and open a diagram.
3. On the Utility menu, choose Preferences.
4. Click behaviors.
5. Select the Stylus Mode checkbox, then click OK.
6. On the Formatting toolbar, click the Handwriting Area button.

Now when you write in the handwriting area with the stylus, it will enter text into the organizer (provided you have trained the handwriting recognition tool in ACTIVstudio!)

Let us know different ways you or others have successfully used these tools!

Locked Boxes in Inspiration

Many people ask how to create a "locked" box in Inspiration so you could use it as a frame for a word or image bank - allowing students to drag words/images out of the frame/box and into the correct place in the diagram.

First, add the box or shape you want to use as the frame for the word/image bank. Next, click on the box/shape and choose "Effect" from the top toolbar and then choose "Send to BacK" (* click on the image above to enlarge it*).

Now you can add words in symbols/images to the framed "bank" that students can drag into place. Please post and let us know if this works for you!

Discovery Education Videos and Inspiration

*Before* downloading videos you want to use in Inspiration from DE, you need to first change the download type to "Quick Time" format so they play in Inspiration (see image above). If you just want to hyperlink to the video (i.e. have it play outside of Inspiration) and not have it play inside your Inspiration diagram, you do not need to change the download format in DE.
Also, do not forget the printable quick guide and video tutorials on how to use embedded video and many other features of Inspiration on the HIAT website.

What creative ways have you used video to support learning with Inspiration?

Save your voice! Recording prompts and directions into students’ worksheets and writing.

Recording your voice into worksheets or to provide feedback for students' writing can have benefits for those who struggle with:

• reading - permanent feedback can be provided for students who can't easily read your comments
• focus and memory - students can have on-demand directions of feedback read aloud as many times as they need them
• engagement - students often respond differently to their teacher's voice than written prompts

In order to do this, you have to add the "insert sound object" button to your tool bar.  You can use these templates to open a document with the button already positioned in the tool bar for you.

• Word 03 Voice Notes template 
• Word 07 Voice Notes template.

Here's a video on how to use them.

This strategy can also be applied to:

• Inspiration graphic organizers (Quick Guide and Video)
• PowerPoint (Quick Guide)
• Clicker5 (Quick Guide)

Have you recorded you voice to support student writing? How did it go?