Picnic planning offers teaching opportunities

Summertime in Alaska is a perfect opportunity for a picnic. Planning a picnic was a perfect opportunity for Doug Davlin to use Inspiration to plan a classroom activity. Davlin, an Educational Technology Specialist with the Alaska Comprehensive Regional Assistance Center, travels around Alaska providing training for some of the state's most remote villages.

Depending on road conditions, he travels sometimes by car, sometimes by canoe, and sometimes by dog sled. But whatever mode of transportation he takes, he always takes Inspiration with him! As he introduces teachers to Inspiration, Davlin uses his ìPicnic to the Fallsî exercise. (Story continues below diagram.)

ìThis simple exercise allows him to demonstrate the program's basic features; rather than tell teachers about Inspiration, he actually shows them how they might use it in their classroom.ìIt also shows teachers how the application has non-academic uses as well,î he said. Davlin and his wife actually went on one of the picnics he planned this summer. ìUpon completion of the exercise, we did go on the picnic, fly kites, and check out the wildflowers. We even saw 75 elk!î

So watch for Davlin as he hikes, bikes, and sleds across Alaska. And as you use Inspiration in your classroom - or teach others how to use it in theirs - please don't forget the chocolate chip cookies!