Inspiration Software Launches 2009 Webcast Series Featuring Visual Learning Strategies for Improving Student Achievement Across the Curriculum  

Two Free Online Workshops for Teachers to be Presented Each Month During the 2009 School Year

PORTLAND, Ore. – Jan. 14, 2009 – Inspiration Software®, Inc., is kicking off 2009 with the launch of a new series of popular free webcasts designed to help teachers use visual learning instructional techniques to improve student achievement across the curriculum. As a result of educators’ high level of interest in 2008’s visual learning webcasts, the company will offer two workshops per month during the 2009 school year.

On Jan. 15 at noon Pacific Time (PT), elementary teachers are invited to participate in a 45-minute webcast, “Writing to a Prompt With Kidspiration, ®” and at noon PT on Jan. 29, grade 6-12 teachers can join the free webcast, “Using Visual Learning Techniques to Improve Academic Performance With Inspiration®.” To register for the webcasts, go to https://inspiration.webex.com.

At noon PT on Jan. 15, the “Writing to a Prompt With Kidspiration” webcast will feature Inspiration Software’s education development manager for language arts, Lucy Belgum. Belgum will demonstrate how teachers can use graphic organizers to help students plan writing that is mindful of audience, purpose and form, and engage students in the process of writing organized paragraphs that contain supporting details. Launched in 2008, the newest version of Kidspiration supports students in kindergarten through fifth grade as they strengthen reading and writing skills, build conceptual understanding in math, and develop thinking skills across the curriculum.

“The level of interest that we saw in our inaugural professional development webcasts last year was amazing. Hundreds of teachers from around the country signed up for and participated in these short, informative workshops,” said Mona Westhaver, president and co-founder, Inspiration Software. “We are expanding the series this year so we can offer more sessions on a wider variety of topics and continue to help educators use visual learning to improve student achievement.”

With the webcast “Using Visual Learning Techniques to Improve Academic Performance With Inspiration,” Cathy Cuff, Inspiration Software’s education development manager for science, will show teachers how to use Inspiration 8 to improve student performance in science, language arts and social studies. In the 45-minute webcast, Cuff will demonstrate how students can use Inspiration 8 to expand on ideas to create well-supported thinking and conclusions, and build knowledge by increasing comprehension of new concepts. In addition, she will discuss how to use visual learning techniques to increase students’ organizational skills by connecting ideas into a logical hierarchy. The essential tool to visualize, think, organize and learn, Inspiration provides powerful support for critical thinking, comprehension and writing in all curriculum areas.

Both webcasts are free to all educators. For more information, go to https://inspiration.webex.com. If you are unable to join us, don’t worry – the webcast will be archived and available to you shortly after the event concludes. To view any of our archived events, visit: https://inspiration.webex.com/ec0600l/eventcenter/recording/recordAction.do?siteurl=inspiration&theAction=archive.

Free 30-day trials of Kidspiration 3 and Inspiration 8 can be downloaded at www.inspiration.com/freetrial. For more information, call 800-877-4292 or visit http://www.inspiration.com/order to find a local education 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 more than 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.

For more information, press only:

Lisa Wolfe, L. Wolfe Communications, 773-227-1049, lwolfe@lwolfe.com

©2009 Inspiration Software, Inc. All rights reserved. Inspiration Software®, Kidspiration®, Inspiration® and InspireData® are registered trademarks of Inspiration Software, Inc. All other brands are the property of their respective owners.