Inspiration has gone online in the form of myWebspiration. From the diagram view, it looks very much like Inspiration when there is the usual list of the different icons, rapid figure, create, and hyperlink. Likewise, the graphic version can be switched to outline mode. Similarly, Webspiration has a easy-to-use hyperlinking feature via an entire symbol or outline topic. In addition, the file manager keeps track of the files. Also, the rollback option allows the user to can revert back to an earlier revision.
This website contains Web 2.0 features. Since this is web-based, numerous people can work on the created organizer. Furthermore, the “Publish” feature permits a myWebspiration user to publish their document to the Internet; myWebspiration emails the URL to the user or the user can embedded it in another web page. Moreover, this online program has a chat (IM) feature so people can communicate as they collaborate. Documents created in myWebspiration are stored online so they are available via any web connection 24/7.
Some improvement would make it even more beneficial to educators:
- Images can not be flipped. If a person has an arrow ninety degrees to the left, the concept map creator cannot flip this arrow to point to the right.
- The website has many colored images such as arrows that cannot be changed in color. A teacher may want a green arrow (good – go ahead), yellow arrow (caution) and red arrow (stop and change directions).
- Sometimes when a person inserts additional text into a text block, the new text eliminates the existing text.
- There are no variable screen views. The program does have several fixed screen views such as 25, 50, 75 and 100 but This writer had a big diagram that he wanted at 65% but he had to select 50% instead. The image did not look right when it was copied and put into a PowerPoint.
- The instructors would benefit from having black and white images of the colored images. Many teachers will use this website to create forms or handouts which are black on white paper. Most of the graphics are in color; however, two different colored objects may have the same shade of gray on paper.
- Educators could profit from having a a “sheet of paper” sizing so that they know how much space they are using as they create a concept map. This writer created a map which was much too big to fit on a sheet of paper; he could have redesigned the map, if he had known its “sheet of paper” size
- This online program can become better by having a library of already made concept maps such as fishbone, matrix, and flowchart. Instructors can spend a very long time in creating their own initial blank specific purpose concept maps. They would prefer to customize an existing map than create one from scratch. When they do have a graphic such as the Main Idea graphic, they cannot add information into the graphic; they can only put text at the bottom.
- The sites only ’save as’ capability is Inspiration 8 format.
- Multiple educators cannot work on the concept map in real time. Although a Webspiration user can send an invitation to a colleague or friend to work collectively, only one person can “edit” at a time. After that person is done, the next person can add information or make changes.
The Webspiration program has built on the great features of Inspiration and educators look forward to future improvements that will make it even more a valuable learning tool.
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