Congratulations!  You've learned about an inspiring person and created a product that shows what you have learned.  Now it's time to reflect.  Give thought to some of these questions.  If you feel comfortable sharing, post your responses in the comment area below.

• After studying the person that you selected, do you still find them inspiring?  Were there things in their life that surprised you?  Is it possible to be inspired by someone if you don't agree with all of the choices they've made throughout their life?
• While studying this person, did you see references to anyone else that you are interested in learning about now too?
• Are you pleased with your product?  What is your favorite thing about it?  What part would you improve?
• Are there any technology tools that you were afraid to try this time that you think you might want to try the next time you need to create an audiovisual product?

Are you ready to create a product that shows what you have learned about the person who inspires you?  I used iMovie to create my product and then uploaded the m4v with Blogger's video uploading tool.  In the video, I share information about Jane Addams.  She was a social activist who I find very inspiring.  You can watch my video below:

What tools will you use to create your product?  Photostory, iMovie, PowerPoint, Prezi... Use whichever tool you are most comfortable with (or the tool you have been wanting to try) and show what you have learned about the inspiring person you have studied.  If you publish your product on the web, include a link to it in the comment section below.

Now that you have gathered information about the person who inspires you, it is time to take some notes and record significant information.  The graphic organizer shown below can be accessed through this link.  It will guide you through the note-taking process for this project as well as help you cite the sources that you used to gather information.  In the next post, we will start working on a project to show what you have learned!

Inspiring Person Graphic Organizer

Watch this Voki to get started today!


Using Inspire to access Gale Biography in Context

First, go to www.inspire.in.gov.  Click on "Biographies."

Then click on "Biography in Context."

Finally, type the name of the person you are searching for in the search box.  You will be able to read their biography as well as see links to many other information sources including news articles and audiovisual clips.

Are you successfully finding information about the person who inspires you?  If not, make a comment below (include the name of the person you are trying to find information about) and I will respond with some specific suggestions to help you get back on track with your information hunt.

Have you selected a famous person who inspires you?  When you are ready to look for information about them, try typing their name into the search box at www.biography.com.  This resource can help you learn about their early life as well as their adult life and accomplishments.  After you read their biography, respond in the comment section below by describing how that individual has inspired you.  Do you hope to accomplish some of the same things they did?  What are ways that you hope to inspire others with your life?

Image: Microsoft Clip Art

Learning about famous people can be very inspiring!  Their lives can teach us that anything is possible. As you follow this blog, you will choose a famous person to study, discover some great resources to help you learn more about them, and create a product that shows what you learned about that individual and the ways that they have inspired you.  To get started, you can watch the video below about Amelia Earhart.  You can find many other biographical videos (some of the individuals featured are more inspiring than others) on the BIO Youtube channel.



Who inspires you?  Share your thoughts in the comment section.