Inspiration Diagrams

I think that the inspiration diagrams will be very helpful in creating science diagrams and showing students how to relate one idea to another.  I like that you can use images and be creative with the diagrams.  This would be a great tool to start a diagram at the beginning of a lesson and build on the diagram as the unit concludes.  This again would be a great way to show relationships between what we learn one day and how it connects to what we learn another day.  Also, you could use these diagrams to relate material to authentic situations.  You could start with the idea you are teaching and have branches of real life situations or objects that correlate with the idea.  You can also create the diagram in class as you discuss with the class.  You can have the students offer past knowledge about the content and as you teach, add ideas to the diagram to connect past knowledge with new information.  The program is very easy to manipulate and create as you teach.  This would be an excellent tool.