Introduction to Graphic Organizers and Concept Mapping
What is concept mapping?
What is a graphic/visual organizer?
Classroom Examples
What is Inspiration?
Starting Inspiration
1. We will make a simple web all about you. Start Inspiration (at the ETTC this is done by left double clicking on the shortcut found on the desktop).
2. Inspiration automatically starts the first symbol. Take a look and review the screen elements and diagram toolbar buttons page provided at the end of this packet.
3. Click in the main idea box. You may need to drag over the words Main Idea and press the delete key. Now type a title (all about me, your name, whatever).
Creating Symbols
Rapid Fire Command
1. We will use the Rapid Fire Button to generate some categories for you to fill in. Make sure the title box you just typed in is selected (boxes and diamonds appear around the edges of the box).
2. Click on the Rapid Fire button. Now type foods and press the enter key. Type music and press the enter key. Enter in three or four more categories. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE MORE THAN FOUR CATEGORIES. Click on the Rapid Fire Button when done.
3. Notice how Inspiration puts a category at each corner of the main idea box. After four, it starts to overlap. You can move boxes around. Point to the middle of one of the overlapping boxes (one of the last categories you entered). Drag the box to the side. The link arrow will automatically move.
4. Point to the lower right box on the symbol and drag to change the size of the symbol.
5. Select one of the boxes. Press the delete key. The box is erased. From the Edit menu choose Undo. YOU CAN NOT UNDO EVERY ACTION AND YOU CAN ONLY UNDO ONE ACTION (not multiple actions).
6. Symbols will snap to a grid when the Grid Snap option is turned on. To turn Grid Snap or Grid Lines off or on, Click on Utility option on menu bar. Choose Grid Snap or Grid Line to turn them on or off. You can also turn Grid Lines on to guide manual symbol placement.
Other Ways To Create Symbols
1. Now we will add specific items to each subject. Click on the Foods symbol. Now find the Create buttons on the toolbar.
2. You can click on any of the arrows on the Create button. It will create a symbol with a link in the direction the arrow is pointing.
3. Add a few symbols with foods you like. You can change the size of the symbol or arrange the position of the symbol if you need to.
4. Add a couple of items to other categories using the Create buttons.
5. You can also click anywhere on the grid and start to type. Click near your music symbol. Start typing a group/individual/music type you like. This adds a symbol with no link. Add a few symbols without links (we will link them next).
Working With Links
1. You can add a link between two symbols. Click on the Link button. Click on the music symbol you just created with no link box. Now click on the main music category symbol you are linking to. An arrow (link) should appear.
2. Another way to create links is by drawing them. Select the symbol where you want the link to originate. Four diamond shapes will appear on the sides of the symbol. Position pointer over any of the diamonds on the symbol from which you want the link to originate. Hold down mouse button and drag to the symbol you are linking to and release the mouse button.
3. You can delete a link by clicking on the link to select it and then pressing the delete key on the keyboard. We will work more with links in part 2.
Saving Your Work
1. You can save your file as an Inspiration file (Inspiration has its own file extension) or export it to a different type. Both options are found in the File Menu.
2. Click on the File Menu and choose Save.
3. Save your work to the desktop. Use your first and last name as the file name.
Changing the Symbols
1. You can use different symbols for your boxes. You can print out a copy of all symbols here - www.inspiration.com/download/pdf/InspSymbolGuide.pdf
2. Click on one of the food boxes you created. Look at the symbol toolbar. Click on the black triangle that points down. A list of libraries appears, choose a food library. Click on a food symbol. Because the food box was selected, it changed.
3. You can also drag a symbol from the toolbar to the grid to create a new box. Try adding an item to one of your categories this way.
4. You can format the text and symbols. Select the boxes to be changed. Use the Font Menu options.
5. Each color of a symbol can be changed. Select a symbol and then click on the Multi-Color Symbol tool. (the paintbrush). A list of all colors appears, select a color and a palette pops up. Choose a new color.
6. You can select multiple symbols by dragging over multiple symbols. Also try holding down the shift key while clicking on multiple symbols.
Formatting and Moving Symbols
1. Many options are found in the Format Menu (you can also right click on a box and choose Font). Change some of the boxes.
2. The symbols can be changed using the Draw toolbar or the Effects Menu. Try changing the size of the lines surrounding the symbols, the fill colors (changes just selected symbols) or the background (changes entire background).
View Options
1. You can use the Position button to move the diagram around. This is helpful for large diagrams.
2. Use the Zoom button (lower left corner) to change the size of the screen. You can find the same commands in the View Menu.
3. The Outline button changes the view to outline mode. Click on the Diagram button to go back to the diagram view (more on outlines in part 2)
Spell Check and Printing
1. You can check the spelling using Spell Check from the Utility Menu.\
2. Now choose Print Options from the File Menu and select options (such as fit on one page).
last modified July 31, 2002