Inspiration & Technology in the classroom.

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When first viewing this video, I was surprised that a software like this existed for both students and instructors use, I find its use within a classroom setting would be quite positive.The biggest and most important element to the Inspiration software, is its ability to be user friendly. This I find to be very important, especially with students who may not be as computer literate as others. Other aspects to it is its ability to help form and mold ideas into actually tangible brainstorms outlines for students to review and edit. it helps create an outline and helps structure a students work. I would personally would use this software for students who may be more on the visual side of learning. This would be great to help format their ideas into something they can actually see and explain better than more traditionally essay manners.


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One type of writing activity that would help benefit students in the classroom would be simply placing their work on the internet. I feel by actually having their work presented to the world, it gives an extra sense of importance to it, more so than simply writing a paper within a classroom. In a sense it holds the student accountable for their work in that it reflects the person they are and because of that they want to do a great job.

Writing is indeed a complex skill to acquire and takes much practice to master. Looking towards the future as my career as a teacher, I know that my time for each individual student will be very limited. So one way I could help spread my time towards them and have students help other students specifically with writing is Collaborative writing. In that, i could have students work with each other on creating a text. This being done by presenting a writing assignment for a group of students, then having those students write about something specific within that subject, then having them bring their ideas together into one collaborative text. One thing, it helps lighten the load of the project from one person to at least two or three other students. It gets students involved and excited to work on a project, more ways students being able to present their own ideas, a possible increase in their participation and closer relationships with other students within the classroom.

The concept of Peer feedback writing is something that is great for instructors, its helps provide the students with the feedback they need on their rough drafts, something the instructor can not always provide.One tool that is specific to manage online peer feedback, is SWoRD, (Scaffolded Writing and Rewriting in the Discipline.) Its a web-based tool that reciprocates peer reviews, its a great program to help with the whole process peer feedback. It gives options to both instructors and students of distribution of papers to other students, ways of evaluation, also a option of keeping confidentiality of the reviewer.


When thinking back to a new skill I had to teach, the first instance that I can recall is guitar. I use to instruct one of my neighbors for acoustic guitar. I knew it how to play and I could play at a descent level, but I was no master at it. One thing is for certain, I made sure before each session I came prepared to teach. So in effect, I can say for a fact that i did in deed know how to play better after teaching it, because you learn so much as you go.