Assignments #3 and #8

For my first time using the Inspiration Program, I found it easy to use and I was not afraid to experiment with clicking buttons to find out what each did. I used Inspiration to make a graphic organizer of the main concepts covered by my Mammal notes and lecture. The organizer also contains links so that students would be able to go to different websites to get more information on some of the topics.

I thought it was great that the program had an easy way to turn the Inspiration creation into a graphical image. It took me a little bit of time to figure out what buttons to hit to accomplish this. Normally if I want to turn something like this into an image I will just take a screen capture of it. I was slightly worried because my image was larger than the screen so I knew I would not be able to using my normal method. However I used google to look up how to turn Inspiration files into gif images. The built in method (File --> Export --> Graphics Files) was so easy and much more efficient.

Now that I have gotten the hang of the program, I feel that creating another graphic organizer could be done even quicker. I think this is definitely a tool that could be used to help students, especially those who learn best visually or hands-on. I think students of all ages could use this program.



I also completed the SpreadSheet and Database assignment. While it was time consuming, it was very informative. I had some knowledge of spreadsheets from a previous secretarial job, however now I feel like I have learned a lot more. I previously knew how to type in SUM calculations but I did not realize there were other/easier methods to accomplish the same thing. I liked that this program showed you all the methods, then lets you choose which you like best.

I also really liked the step-by-step tutorial guide, however it would have been easier to print out (if it wasn't 67 pages!) because it got kind of annoying having to flip back and forth between pages and remember what to type.

Overall, I learned a lot from this assignment. I do not send out letters to parents in my class very often because email tends to be a lot easier and doesn't require buying stamps :) However I am advisor for our National Honor Society and the database/letters would be a great way to send out personalized invitations and acceptance letters!



Well I have been working my butt off these past two days to get all of these assignments done. I figured I should try to get ahead since I am going out of town this weekend and will be packing and moving all of next week. Might be a couple of days until I post again...