ActivBoard Tips from iLearn Technology

iLearn Technology is one of my favorite blogs to find quick articles on the newest trends in edtech.  Kelly Tenkely, the author, is a K-5 technology specialist/teacher, and I find many of her posts to tie directly to similiar things I work on as an ITRT.  I highly recommend it.

In a recent visit to her blog, I noticed she has a whole page of Promethean Quick Tips.  Currently she has 15 listed.  Here are the ones that taught me something new:

She has more where that came from…Drag a Copy, Downloading Resource Packs, Using WallWisher, and more.  Check out all the Promethean Quicktips by clicking here.  Thanks, Kelley, for such a great resource!

Professional Development in your PJs!

Professional Development in PJs

***NOTE — This information is for Roanoke County Teachers ONLY!***

Want to earn Professional Development points from the comfort of your own home?  Want to learn more about the new ActivBoard software, ActiVotes, or ActivExpressions?  Great news!  Roanoke County has approved the following webinars on Promethean Planet for Professional Development points:

  •  MIGRATING TO ACTIVINSPIRE WEBINAR AND PREREQUISITE TUTORIAL (3 HOURS)
  • LEARNER RESPONSE SYSTEMS –ACTIVOTES WEBINAR AND PREREQUISITE TUTORIAL (3 HOURS)
  • LEARNER RESPONSE SYSTEMS – ACTIVEXPRESSION WEBINAR AND PRERQUISITE TUTORIAL (4 HOURS)

To view the upcoming Webinars, use this link.

If you’ve never participated in a Webinar before, it’s easy!  All you will need is a phone (to hear the presenter and ask questions yourself) and a computer.  After you register, you’ll be given step by step directions on how to participate.   Don’t forget to complete the prerequisite course ahead of time!

There are some things to remember:

  • You must have a Promethean Planet account.
  • Prior to participating in any webinar, you will need to complete online tutorials.  These tutorials are referred to as a “course” for each webinar.  At the end of each “course” there is an assessment to take. Once the assessment has been passed, youcan request a “transcript”.  This documentation is necessary in order to receive points for the webinar.  We will also need verification that you participated in the webinar.
  • A link to the prerequisites is included in the description of each webinar. You must be logged in to Promethean Planet to navigate to the prerequisites.
  •  The Level 1 skills webinar is not included for points because the prerequisite for it costs $29.95. 

This opportunity is a great way to learn more about ActivInspire and earn Professional Development points.  Please let me know if you have any questions!!

Image: ‘Day 6/365
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35423169@N00/3849077926

Inserting Pics into ActivStudio from a File

There are many ways to add picture files to a Flipchart.  This is useful if you have taken pictures with a document camera, scanner, or digital camera and would like to then use them in your flipchart.

To view a full-size version of this screencast, click here.  You’ll probably want to do this…it’s small here!

Method 1: Click and Drag Between Folders:

  • Open the folder where the pictures are located.
  • Open a blank flipchart
  • Size the windows so you can see both of them.
  • Click and drag from the image from the File Window to FlipChart.
  • Choose “Add Object”

Method 2: Drop the file directly into the My Images folder

  1. Drop directly into My Documents>ActivStudio 3>My Images
  2. Open Up ActivStudio
  3. You will see the file in your resource folder under My Resource Library.

Method 3: Insert the File from Design Mode

  1. Turn on Design Mode while in ActivStudio
  2. Go to Insert>Image>From File
  3. Navigate to the file and click on it.
  4. Make sure to turn off Design Mode when you are done.

Method 4: Click and Drag Between Word and a Flipchart:

  • Open the Word Document.
  • Open a blank flipchart
  • Size the windows so you can see both of them.
  • Click and drag from file windoWord Doc to FlipChart.
  • Choose “Drop Image”

Method 5: Snap a Picture with the Camera Tool

  1. Open a ActivStudio
  2. Minimize the FlipChart
  3. Find the image on your computer
  4. Click the camera icon>Area
  5. Choose the area you want to save
  6. Choose the first icon “To Current Flipchart Page”

With all but Method 2, you may want to drag the folder over to your Resource Library if you plan on using it more than once.

Office Picture Manager will help you edit your pictures before you insert them into a flipchart.  You can find it by going to Start>Programs>Microsoft Office>Microsoft Office Tools>Microsoft Office Picture Manage.  If you allow it to be your default picture editor, it will open picture files anytime you double click on them.

To learn more about the functions of Picture Manager, download this handout.

There are more ways to add images…these are just my favorite.  You don’t have to use all of the methods, just pick one that’s comfortable to you and stick with it.  If you want to share another way to add images, please comment below! :)