Technology for Memory and Cognition 1

Technology for Memory and Cognition

Charissa Piccotti-Fanny
ED 5082
Final Project 7.1A
Technology for Memory and Cognition 2

Technology for Memory and Cognition

Abstract
The First School District is seeking a grant to support the acquisition and use of Inspiration and
Kidspiration software throughout the district. The purpose of this project is to implement
technology throughout the district to support memory and cognition for students. Kidspiration
Maps, for early elementary, and Inspiration Maps, for upper elementary, middle, and high
school, is a digital tool to create visual thinking maps and support memory and transfer of
information. Funding is requested in the amount of $25,000 to support staff training and the
purchase of software/apps for the district.

Statement of Need
The First School District is a large, urban school district, with 11,000 students 12% of whom are
identified for special education services. District wide, 60% of students are considered at-risk for
a variety of reasons, including learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, language based difficulties,
and economic factors. All students in grades K-12 have access to laptops and/or tablets regularly,
which are paid for with Title 1 funding.

Resource Review
Software and apps for memory and cognition are tools that help support memory and transfer.
This is especially important for students with memory or cognitive impairments. According to
the National Center on Universal Design for Learning, “(t)he purpose of education is not to make
information accessible, but rather to teach learners how to transform accessible information into
useable knowledge” (n.d.). Because individual needs of students vary greatly, the ability to
present, process, and access information in a variety of ways is a necessity for learning. Tools
that heighten memorability of information and guide learners to use specific strategies support
memory and cognition for students. Teachers can provide checklists, organizers, visual guides, or
other tools in the classroom. Software and apps can provide these templates, support the
opportunity to revisit topics, and allow students to apply specific strategies to their learning.

Inspiration and Kidspiration

Inspiration, for grades 6 through adult, is a visual mapping tool for both Mac and PC. Students
can use Inspiration to create webs, concept maps, idea maps, flows, and other tools to organize
thinking. Using visual icons and images, students can trigger memory and make connections
within and between content. Students can organize and input information in multiple ways,
providing access for multiple learning styles and abilities. This visual information can then be
trasnferred to written form in the outline view. Students can organize their ideas and begin the
writing and/or presenting process. Inspiration also supports presentations with the Presentation
Manager, which allows students to communicate and share their ideas.

Kidspiration, for grades K-5, is a user-friendly tool, which allows younger students to develop
critical thinking skills, strengthen reading and writing skills, and build mathematical
understanding. Students can create graphic organizers like Venn diagrams, webs, and concept
maps to explore ideas and organize information. Using the Kidspiration symbol library, students
can pair images with ideas to support memory. By organizing and explaining ideas visually,
Technology for Memory and Cognition 3

students can also build reading and writing skills. Integrated picture and writing views, audio
support, and the Kidspiration word guide support student comprehension and creation. The
Kidspiration word guide “supports vocabulary and reading comprehension with easy access to
nearly 13,000 words. It includes sight vocabulary from the Dolch and Fry word lists and aligns
with TESL vocabulary to support ELL and ESL students. Each entry includes definitions,
recorded speech for pronunciation, synonyms and antonyms, parts of speech and sample
sentences” (Kidspiration, n.d.). Kidspiration also applies visual learning principles to
mathematics, with five visual math tools, including pattern blocks, color tiles, base ten blocks,
fraction tiles, and fraction boxes.
In addition to Inspiration and Kidspiration software for student laptops, Inspiration Maps and
Kidspiration Maps can be used on student iPads. Inspiration Maps and Kidspiration Maps
provide students with mobile organizational tools to assist learning and cognition. Both
Inspiration and Kidspiration support curriculum integration and align with Common Core.

Data
The main objectives of this initiative are to:
1. Implement technology to support memory and cognition
2. Guide students’ information processing and application
3. Provide tools to maximize transfer and memory
4. Provide a user-friendly experience for both teachers and students
The majority of teachers (80%) and all administrators support this initiative and the use of
Inspiration/Kidspiration. Teachers feel that the advantages include visual cues for struggling
readers, organizational skills, support for curriculum, mapping tools for enhancing memory and
cognition, and alignment to Common Core. The remaining 20% have concerns about the
initiative, which are being addressed through planning and preparation, ongoing in-service for
teachers, and tech support provided by both the district and by Inspiration Software, Inc. Data
will be gathered through evaluation within the district and by analyzing standardized testing
results.
District wide, students are already provided laptops and tablets. This software/app package will
be installed on each device within the district for student use.

Evaluation
Teachers will evaluate student progress through district created assessments in writing and
mathematics. Data from state standardized testing will also be studied to evaluate the
effectiveness of the software/apps.

Recommended Activities and Timeline

Through this grant initiative, all student and teacher laptops will be supplied with Kidspiration
(grades K-5) and Inspirations (Grades 6-12) for student use. Inspiration Maps and Kidspiration
Maps will be on each school iPad. Initially, training will be provided for the technology
department, including Instructional Coaches, who will then work closely with teachers and
students to provide ongoing training, troubleshooting, and assistance as needed. Training will be
provided both in person and through distance learning/technical support for all teachers and staff
in the district. Technology personnel and Instructional Coaches will be responsible for these
trainings. Technology personnel will also be responsible for the upkeep of the network, all
Technology for Memory and Cognition 4

devices, and all software/apps. Technology staff will run the initial installation and training, and
be available on an as needed basis for any future needs. Teachers and staff will have access to
technology staff through the Help Desk system, which is already in place district wide.

Activity Date Completed

Submit Grant Proposal December 2017 X
Expected Grant Notification February 2018
Purchase and install March 2018
Software/Apps
Technology Department March/April 2018
Training (including
Instructional Coaches)
Initial Teacher Training May 2018 (District Wide In-
Session service Day)
Ongoing Teacher Training Summer 2018 and ongoing
and curriculum development
Student Introduction September 2018
Evaluation Beginning December 2018
Technology for Memory and Cognition 5

References
Inspiration - Comprehend. Create. Communicate. Achieve More. (n.d.). Retrieved December 06,
2017, from http://www.inspiration.com/Inspiration

Examples 3.4. (n.d.). Retrieved December 06, 2017, from

http://www.udlcenter.org/implementation/examples/examples3_4

Kidspiration - The visual way to explore and understand words, numbers and concepts. (n.d.).
Retrieved December 06, 2017, from http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration

Principle I. Provide Multiple Means of Representation. (n.d.). Retrieved December 06, 2017,
from http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines/principle1#principle1_g3