InspireData® was originally developed by TERC in Massachusetts with grant funding from the National Science Foundation. TERC also developed and administered a program called Mixing Math, related to a published paper “How Wide Is A Squid Eye? Integrating Mathematics into Public Library Programs for the Elementary Grades.” InspireData® is aimed at students in grade 4 through 12 and lets student collect, enter, explore, and display data. The software comes with lesson plans and suggested activities. InspireData® 1.5 (as of December 2014) provides database templates and databases with sample sample data, as well as a survey tool. They claim that their lesson align with “data literacy standards”, but do not specify which standards (but they reference AASL and ISTE standards elsewhere). The company’s white paper is undated, but the most recent citation is from 2008, with most citations from the 1990’s or early 2000’s. They offer a free 30 day trial and educator pricing.
Sources
- Electronic Education Report. 2006. “Inspiration Launches InspireData For Data Analysis by Students” 13 (13): 5–6.
- “How digital tools prepare students for the 21st century: A CollinsConsults White Paper Prepared for Inspiration Software, Inc.” Inspiration.
- Website citing evidence that their software is effective: http://www.inspiration.com/21stcenturyskills
Teaching Mathematics in a School Library 