Inspiration Software Launches Lesson Plan Book for Building Data Literacy Skills

New Lesson Collection for Grades 4-12 Designed to Help Teachers Use InspireData in Science, Mathematics and Social Studies

PORTLAND, OR — Sept. 26, 2007
Today's students have more data and information at their fingertips than ever before, and they must develop the critical-thinking skills needed to successfully analyze and evaluate it. Now with Inspiration Software®'s launch of "Developing Data Literacy with InspireData^®," teachers will have even more ways to engage students in exploring and analyzing data, helping them to build data literacy skills. Designed by educators, this new lesson plan book will help teachers integrate InspireData, the software to visually explore and understand data, into their science, mathematics and social studies curriculum.

Earlier this month, Inspiration Software launched an update to InspireData, the visual learning tool used by students in grades 4-12 to build data literacy skills. Students use InspireData 1.5 to actively explore and analyze data, interpret information, and draw conclusions using Venn diagrams and bar, stack, pie and axis plots. New features include an e-Survey tool for easy online data collection, additional plot options, more than 100 subject-specific databases and expanded educator resources.

"Developing Data Literacy with InspireData" includes 27 content-rich, standards-based lesson plans with step-by-step instructions that are easily adapted for students in grades 4-12. These hands-on lessons can be used with students working individually or in teams.

"Every day, today's students are confronted with massive amounts of data and other information — online, on television and in print. It is essential that they develop the critical-thinking skills to evaluate and analyze information so they can see beyond the numbers and understand what they mean," said Mona Westhaver, president and co-founder, Inspiration Software. "Developed by teachers for teachers, this new lesson plan book is full of creative ways to engage students in exploring and analyzing data."

Three free sample lesson plans from "Developing Data Literacy with InspireData" can be downloaded from the Inspiration Software Web site. Single copies of the lesson plan book are $39.95. Customers who purchase 20 copies or more of InspireData 1.5 will receive a complimentary copy of the new lesson plan book.

Educators interested in previewing InspireData 1.5 can download free, fully functional 30-day trial copies from the Inspiration Software Web site at www.inspiration.com/freetrial. Single copies of InspireData 1.5 are $79. Special pricing is available for volume purchases and volume updates.

More purchasing information is available at www.inspiration.com/order or by calling 800-877-4292 to talk to an Inspiration Software product specialist or to find a local education software dealer.

About Inspiration Software, Inc.
Recognized as the leader in visual thinking and learning, Inspiration Software, Inc.'s award-winning software tools, Inspiration®, Kidspiration® and InspireData, are based on proven visual learning methodologies that help students think, learn and achieve. With the powerful combination of visual learning and technology, students in grades K-12 learn to clarify thoughts, organize and analyze information, integrate new knowledge and think critically. Founded 25 years ago by Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver, the company's visual learning software tools are used today by more than 25 million students and teachers worldwide.