New Updates to Inspiration Software's Visual Learning Tools Support Emerging Technologies

Enhancements to Inspiration, Kidspiration Offer Interactive Whiteboard Compatibility, Other New Capabilities for Using Graphic Organizers to Improve Student Learning

PORTLAND, OR. — Jan. 18, 2005
Inspiration Software® today launched Inspiration® 7.6 and Kidspiration® 2.1, updated versions of the leading visual learning tools. Both include new compatibility with emerging technologies, giving educators more choices in how they use graphic organizers to develop and organize thinking. Enhancements for Windows and Mac OS X include the ability to draw and write directly on interactive whiteboards and Tablet PCs as well as syncing to Inspiration for Palm OS. Updates are free to users of Kidspiration 2 and Inspiration 7 or above.

"By developing Inspiration and Kidspiration to run with the wide spectrum of technology being used in today’s schools, we are ensuring that students can seamlessly use visual learning tools across the curriculum," said Mona Westhaver, president and co-founder, Inspiration Software. "In math, science, language arts or social studies, teachers and students can now use graphic organizers to absorb knowledge and build thinking skills, regardless of whether the classroom has desktop computers or an interactive whiteboard."

Updates in both products are designed to optimize ease of use in the whiteboard learning environment. Students and teachers can move program toolbars to the bottom of the screen so that smaller students can reach and view the tools.

Using the popular one-click Publish feature, documents can be transferred from Kidspiration to Microsoft Word running Scholastic Keys, the kid-friendly interface for Microsoft Office, as well as to Microsoft Word and AppleWorks. The new capabilities in Kidspiration also allow students to use Inspiration for Palm OS to capture ideas on a handheld when they are on a field trip or at home and then sync to Kidspiration on the desktop or laptop computer to enhance and extend their graphic organizers.

Customers with Inspiration 7 and higher can download a free update at www.inspiration.com/Help-Center/Inspiration. Customers with Kidspiration 2 can download a free update at www.inspiration.com/Help-Center/Kidspiration.

Educators interested in previewing Inspiration 7.6 and Kidspiration 2.1 can download free fully-functional 30-day trial copies at www.inspiration.com/freetrial.

Single copies of Inspiration and Kidspiration are $69 and updates are $39.95. Special pricing is available for volume purchases and volume updates. More information about purchasing Inspiration and Kidspiration is available at www.inspiration.com/order/index.cfm or by calling 800-877-4292 to find a local education software dealer.

About Inspiration Software, Inc.
Recognized as the leader in visual thinking and learning, Inspiration Software, Inc. develops and publishes innovative software tools that inspire learners of all ages to brainstorm, organize, plan and create. With more than 15 million users worldwide, the company's award-winning software is revolutionizing visual learning in education—inspiring students to develop strong thinking and organizational skills and improve their academic performance. Founded by Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver, the company's mission is to support improvements in education and make a positive difference in students' lives by providing software tools that help students learn to think.