Kidspiration is designed as a tool for visual learning, created for Key Stage 1 and 2 children. Pupils are able to build up a page of ideas for a wide range of subjects. These diagrams are then translated into a more formal written piece of work. The aim of the software is to enable children to develop their written work through more visual techniques using symbols and various layouts.
The program contains 75 ready-made activities such as sorting food into the different groups, listing words and sorting them into the parts of speech and continuing patterns and sorting shapes using a Venn diagram. These templates can be exclusively diagrams with pictures or words as well. The visual diagrams are then translated into more word-based activities at the touch of a button.
Kidspiration is a very useful tool for less literate children to access more language based parts of curriculum. All elements of the program can be read aloud at the click of a button, supporting auditory learners and children who have reading difficulties. There are 1200 pre-drawn symbols for the children to access in order to represent their ideas and the facility to draw their own.
The teacher controls enable management of the tasks, with a password-accessed area; this includes the ability to turn off access to the desktop, and various blocking actions. Teachers are able to create new activities and add aspects such as Internet hyperlinks.
The software is quick to load and does not require the CD-Rom in order to work. We have loaded it onto a suite of networked laptops without any problems.
The program links well to all aspects of the curriculum. The ready-made activities are mostly focused on Literacy, Numeracy and Science. However the possibilities for use are endless. Many of these activity sheets would fit straight into lessons with a Key Stage 2 class. In fact, because of the ‘read’ function and the use of such visual elements, this software is very suitable across the whole primary age and ability range.
In conclusion this is a very useful and exciting piece of software.
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