Kidspiration

Jeff Paul
Coordinator of Educational Technology
Lenawee ISD
jpaul@mail.lisd.k12.mi.us
http://edtech.lisd.k12.mi.us

Kidspiration
May 1, 2001

Table of Contents
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 4
What is Kidspiration? .................................................................................................................................. 4
Who should use Kidspiration? ................................................................................................................... 4
Is Kidspiration simple to learn? ................................................................................................................ 4

Getting Started ...................................................................................................................... 5

The Starter Window ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Creating a Diagram .............................................................................................................. 6

Tools ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Diagram Toolbar ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Formatting Toolbar ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Symbol Palette ............................................................................................................................................ 6
To Add Unconnected Symbols ................................................................................................................... 7
To Add Connected Symbols ........................................................................................................................ 7
Entering Text and Hot Links ..................................................................................................................... 7
Manipulating Symbols ................................................................................................................................. 8
To Select Multiple Symbols ........................................................................................................................ 8
To Select All Objects, Symbols or Links .................................................................................................... 8
To Move a Symbol ....................................................................................................................................... 8
To Resize a Symbol ..................................................................................................................................... 8
To Delete a Symbol ..................................................................................................................................... 8
To Change a Symbol ................................................................................................................................... 8
To Change the Formatting ......................................................................................................................... 8
Links ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
To Add a New Link ..................................................................................................................................... 9
To Select a Link .......................................................................................................................................... 9
To Add Text to the Link .............................................................................................................................. 9
To Delete a Link .......................................................................................................................................... 9
To Change a Connection Point ................................................................................................................... 9
To Select Multiple Links............................................................................................................................. 9
To Change the Formatting ......................................................................................................................... 9
SuperGrouper .......................................................................................................................................... 10

Formatting ............................................................................................................................ 11
To Change the Font .................................................................................................................................. 11
To Change the Font Size .......................................................................................................................... 11
To Change the Font Style ......................................................................................................................... 11
To Change the Arrowhead Style .............................................................................................................. 11
To Change the Line Thickness ................................................................................................................. 11
To Change the Colors ................................................................................................................................ 11

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Kidspiration
May 1, 2001
Audio Features .................................................................................................................... 12
Listen Tool ................................................................................................................................................. 12
Recording a Sound or Voice ...................................................................................................................... 12
Talking Interface ...................................................................................................................................... 12

Writing View ......................................................................................................................... 13

Overview ....................................................................................................................................................... 13
Writing Tools ................................................................................................................................................ 13
Changing the Colors of the Lined Paper ................................................................................................. 13
Changing the Prefix Style ........................................................................................................................13
Removing the Lined Paper ....................................................................................................................... 13
Changing the Level of an Idea ................................................................................................................. 13

Kidspiration Menus ............................................................................................................ 14

File .................................................................................................................................................................
Edit .................................................................................................................................................................
View ...............................................................................................................................................................
Sound .............................................................................................................................................................
Teacher ..........................................................................................................................................................
Help ................................................................................................................................................................

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Kidspiration
May 1, 2001

Overview
What is Kidspiration?
Kidspiration is a visual learning tool that facilitates brainstorming sessions, discussions, and information
organization. Kidspiration may be used to create concept maps, idea maps, webs, groupings, storyboards,
and flow charts. It can instantly switch between picture (visual) and writing (text) modes, allowing different
ways to view and construct information.

Who should use Kidspiration?

Kidspiration is designed for use by elementary-level students and students with learning disabilities. It has
simple menus with visual cues, and supports audio and visual learning styles.

Is Kidspiration simple to learn?

Kidspiration is very easy to learn! This handout provides an outline of the basic tools and some instructions
regarding their use. In general, if you are familiar with a word processor and drawing program, you can
figure out most of the menus through a little experimentation. The Kidspiration manual is well-written and
easy to understand should you require more information.

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2001 Lenawee Intermediate School District
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Kidspiration
May 1, 2001

Getting Started
The Starter Window

When Kidspiration is started, the first window to appear is the Starter Window. From this window,
you may select a template document from the Activities section, open a saved file using the Open
button, or begin a new document in either Picture View or Writing View.
Saving Your Own Templates
If you create a template document and would like to make it easily accessible for your students, you
may save it as an activity. This places it within one of the categories in the Activities section. For
example, if you have a water cycle diagram template, you could save it in the Science section so that
students would find it there.
To save Kidspiration documents as template activities, go to the TEACHER menu and select Save
as Activity...

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Kidspiration
May 1, 2001

Creating a Diagram
Tools

Diagram Toolbar

Contains the tools for creating symbols, links, and groups. Place the mouse pointer on a tool and
a pop-up box displays its name.

Formatting Toolbar

Contains the tools for modifying the text font, font size, and formatting.

Symbol Palette

Contains a library of shapes for use as symbols in the diagram. The blue
arrows navigate to the next and previous symbol sets. The orange arrow
displays all of the symbol categories available.

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Kidspiration
May 1, 2001
To Add Unconnected Symbols
Symbols may be added in a number of ways. Symbols may always be manipulated after their creation, so there is no single correct way to create symbols.
Ways to Create New Symbols:

Add Symbol tool

1. Click on the Add Symbol tool in the Picture Toolbar.

2. Drag and drop a symbol from the Symbol Palette onto the diagram area.
3. With the original pointer, click in the diagram grid (a crosshair or box will appear) and type the
text for the symbol idea. A blue oval symbol will appear with the text you typed.

4. Drag and drop a graphic from another program, such as an Internet browser.
To Add Connected Symbols
Click on an existing symbol in the diagram to select it. Then click on the Add Symbol tool. A new
symbol appears and is connected to the selected symbol.

Entering Text and Hot Links

After creating a symbol, click on it to select it, then begin typing to enter text. The text is presented
within a rectangular box. Text may be highlighted with the mouse arrow and then manipulated
much like within a word processor. The font style, size, and color may be changed using the Formatting tools.
URLs or hot links are supported. With the auto-detect mode on, any web address beginning with
http:// will automatically be shown as a web link, just like in a browser. Clicking a hot link will
launch your Internet browser and bring up the specified web page, as long as live hyperlinks are
active. Auto-detection may be activated under the TEACHER menu. Select Application Options
and turn on the URL Hyperlink Auto-Detection and Live Hyperlinks options.
Alternatively, you may select text on the screen and convert it into a hyperlink. Select the text, then
go to the TEACHER menu and choose URL Hyperlink. In the prompt window, enter the URL for
the link. Upon closing this window, the selected text should appear as a link.

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Kidspiration
May 1, 2001
Manipulating Symbols
Click on a symbol to select it. A selected symbol will be surrounded by
square-shaped handles. You may enter text in the box below the
symbol. Kidspiration will automatically fill in the name of the object if
it is empty and you switch to the Writing View, provided that the
Picture-to-Topic option under the TEACHER menu is checked.

Example Symbol
To Select Multiple Symbols
Hold the Shift key while selecting symbols.
To Select All Objects, Symbols or Links
Go to the EDIT menu and select Select All to select everything in the diagram.
To Move a Symbol
Click and drag a symbol to move it around the diagram. Links are redrawn automatically.
To Resize a Symbol
Select a symbol. Click and drag any of the handles to scale the object. Hold the Command
or Option keys for proportional scaling. The Shift key will preserve one of the dimensions
(i.e. stretch the width without changing the height).
To Delete a Symbol
Select a symbol and press the Backspace or Delete key. This removes the symbol and any
links to it.
To Change a Symbol
Select a symbol, then click on a new symbol design in the Symbol Palette.
To Change the Formatting
See the Formatting section for information on changing the font and colors.

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Kidspiration
May 1, 2001
Links
To connect symbols, use the Link tool. Links are represented by arrows, and include a text box for supplying information that may clarify the relationship between two ideas.

To Add a New Link

Click on the Link tool in the
Picture Toolbar; the pointer will
change to an arrow with two
loops below it. Click on the
primary idea symbol first (origination point), then the secondary idea symbol (destination
point). A one-way link is created from the first symbol to the second.
To Select a Link
Click on the link with the pointer. The link will be highlighted by two red control handles on
the ends and a black dot near the middle.
To Add Text to the Link
Select a link and type in the text. It will appear in the middle of the link in a box.
To Delete a Link
Click on a link to select it. Press the Delete key or click on the Eraser
tool in the Picture Toolbar.
To Change a Connection Point
Select a link. Click on one of the red control handles and drag it to a different symbol connection point. When the symbol is highlighted, release your mouse button to connect the
link.
To Select Multiple Links
Hold the Shift key while selecting the links. Any action taken will affect all selected links.
To Change the Formatting
See the Formatting section for information on changing the font and colors.

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Kidspiration
May 1, 2001

SuperGrouper
In addition to concept maps, Kidspiration allows for symbols to be grouped into
categories using the SuperGrouper tool. Click on the SuperGrouper tool and select
one of the containers from its menu. You may select as many containers as you
need for the activity.
A text field is provided at the top of the SuperGrouper container for a title.
To resize the container, select it with the mouse and then drag
one of the four handles (corner points).

To add items to a group, simply drag the symbols so that they

are placed within the group container.

When you switch to Writing View, all items within a group

appear as subtopics for that group.

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Kidspiration
May 1, 2001

Formatting
The Formatting Toolbar provides the tools for changing the font, font size, and font style, and the
colors of the symbols and links.
Font

Font
Styles

Font
Size

Arrowhead
Style

Line
Thickness

Colors

To Change the Font

Select the text from a symbol or link. Click on the blue arrows of the Font tool to cycle
through the available fonts.
To Change the Font Size
Select the text from a symbol or link. Click on the blue arrows of the Font Size tool to cycle
through the available fonts.
To Change the Font Style
Select the text from a symbol or link. Click on the desired font style to apply (Bold, Italics,
Underline, Color Selector) to the selected text.
To Change the Arrowhead Style
Select a link. Clicking on the Arrowhead Style button will cycle between three options: no
arrowheads on the link, one arrowhead, and two arrowheads.
To Change the Line Thickness
Select a symbol or link. Clicking on the Line Thickness tool will cycle between four options:
dashed lines, thin width, medium width, and thick width.
To Change the Colors
Select a symbol or link. Color bars will represent all of the colors in that object. Click and
hold the mouse pointer on the color you wish to change. A color palette will appear. Select
the new color. Repeat for each color you wish to change.

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Kidspiration
May 1, 2001

Audio Features
Kidspiration includes three forms of audio support that provide the capabilities to
record sounds and to read text using a computerized voice. These tools benefit
emerging readers and writers by providing alternative ways for them to record their
ideas and to comprehend information.

Listen Tool
The Listen tool will read aloud text on the screen using a computerized voice. Click on the
Listen tool to turn it on. It will be highlighted when active. Click on a symbol or link that
contains text and it will be read aloud. Click the Listen tool again to turn it off.
To change the computerized voice, go to the SOUND menu and select the Voices option.

Recording a Sound or Voice

To record a sound or your voice, you must have a microphone or line input
on the computer and make sure it is configured properly. Select the
symbol (in Picture View) or text field (in Writing View) that you want to
attach a sound file to. Then go to the SOUND menu and select the
Record option. A recording window will appear. Click the record button
and speak into the microphone. Click the stop button when you are
finished. Select the Save option on the recording window to keep the
sound. A speaker icon will appear next to the selected object.
To remove a sound, select the symbol, then go to the SOUND menu and
select the Erase option.
To play the recorded sound, click on the speaker icon. The recorded sound
icon will also appear in the Writing View, allowing a student to replay his
recorded ideas as he converts them into written form.

Talking Interface
The Talking Interface option uses a computerized voice to speak the names of all
Kidspiration tools and symbols in the symbol palette when the mouse is placed over one of
these items. This is designed to aid students in locating the tools and symbols. To enable or
disable this feature, go to the TEACHER menu, select Application Options, and check the
Talking Interface option.

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Kidspiration
May 1, 2001

Writing View
Overview
The Writing View offers a more structured format for viewing content. To switch
from Picture View to Writing View, click on the Go to Writing tool.
The Writing View is like a traditional hierarchical outline made up of index cards. The main idea is
at the top of each card (pink line), and additional text may be typed in on the blue lines. Pressing
the Return key will add more blue lines to the card.
If you switch to Picture View, only the main idea will be displayed on the symbol.

Writing Tools
Changing the Colors of the Lined Paper
To change the paper line colors, go to the GOODIES menu and select the Lined Paper Colors
option. A pop-up window will appear in which you may change all of the colors associated with the
index cards.

Changing the Prefix Style

Three prefix styles are available in Writing View: Roman numerals, Alphanumerics, and bullet list.
Click on the Prefix tool to cycle between these choices.

Removing the Lined Paper

Click on the Lined Paper tool to hide or show the lined paper backgrounds for the object in Writing
View.

Changing the Level of an Idea

Use the Left and Right Arrow tools to change the level of an idea in
the hierarchy. (i.e. to move an idea either up or down a level)

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Kidspiration
May 1, 2001

Kidspiration Menus
The Kidspiration manual describes all of the menu commands, and all commands are described in the
online help. This section briefly lists all of the menu commands for reference.

File
New, Open, Save, Print, Page Setup, Quit -- same as in other applications.
Import a Graphic -- allows you to bring in a copy of a picture from another file to use as a symbol.
Export -- saves the diagram or outline in different file formats, including GIF image and HTML. In
Writing View, you may export to a text file in different formats.

Edit
Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo, Select All -- same as in other applications.

View
Background Color -- selects a new color for the screen background.
Lined Paper Color -- selects colors for the lined paper in Writing View.
Spell Check -- checks the spelling.

Sound
Record -- opens up a recording window for recording your voice or other sound input.
Erase -- removes the recorded sound from the selected object.
Voices -- select a different computer voice for the Listen tool and Talking Interface.

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Kidspiration
May 1, 2001
Teacher
Enable Teacher Menu -- must be checked to access other TEACHER menu items.
Save As Activity... -- used to save the current document into the template Activities. Students may
then easily access the documents from the Starter Window.
Save Default Settings... -- change the default settings such as the symbol shape, colors, and options.
URL Hyperlink... -- create a link to a web site.
Picture-to-Topic -- when selected, the names of the symbols is automatically inserted after switching
to the Writing View.
New / Edit Symbol Library -- create custom symbol sets.
Application Options -- set preferences for your Kidspiration session.

Help
Kidspiration Help -- access the online searchable manual.

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2001 Lenawee Intermediate School District
This document may be reproduced in its entirety for non-profit educational purposes.