Toolbox in ActivInspire

Here's how to change the setting of your toolbox in ActivInspire.  This is very handy if you want to use your interactive board or Promethean Board as a center, but don't want your students to have access to everything.

1. Click on VIEW, then CUSTOMIZE.

2. Click on the Command tab.  Then add or remove what you want your students to have access to.  The menu on the left is what you have to choose from, while the menu on your right is the Main Toolbar.  (If you click on Main Toolbox, you may choose Marquee tools - what shows up when you click on an object in ActivInspire).  Add or remove want you want in the Main Toolbox.

3. Click on SAVE AS (disk with a pencil) to save these profile settings as a new profile or SAVE if its how you want the toolbar to be for you.  

•  **Click here if you would like to turn page turn gestures on or off.** < useful if using the interactive board as a Center.

Turning Page Turn Gestures On / Off in ActivInspire

1. Click on VIEW, then CUSTOMIZE.

2. Click on the Settings tab.  Then, Dual Mode ActivBoards.

3. Check or uncheck the box (based on your preference) next to "Enable page turn gestures."

4. Click SAVE (or Save-As if you want this profile to be a special profile with or without turn page gestures).

Ideas for Using Interactive White Boards or Promethean Boards as a Center

       Your interactive board can be used for many different types of Center activities AND a good way to differentiate.  Here's some ideas on how to use your Interactive White Boards as a Center...

Promethean Boards (1 User)

• Flipchart with a student's name assigned to each page
• Easy to differentiate instruction
• Over a couple days each student would get a turn to do their page.
• Flipchart that students each get a turn to use.
• I would put a color coded star next to their name on my center chart.  Each group would be divided in half so 1/2 the group would be at the board one day, then the other half the next day.
• Can differentiate by having 2-3 pages where groups are assigned to a specific page
• Interactive Website or Program - like ThinkCentral, Starfall, Pixie, Kidspiration
• Project worksheet or graphic organizer for students to annotate using Desktop Annotate through ActivInspire

Epson Projectors in Computer Mode (Using Touch for Second Student)

• Flipchart with a student's name assigned to each page
• Flipchart that students share 
• 1 student on pen, 1 student on touch if the activity requires writing
• Up to 6 students could be at the board at once if they are only manipulating objects.
• Interactive Website
• Project worksheet or graphic organizer for students to annotate using Desktop Annotate through ActivInspire OR turn off Touch Input and have them write using the white board and dry erase marker.  Can also use the document camera to project something for students to write on.

Epson Projectors in Projector Mode (2 students on pen, 2-6 students using finger but must agree to the tool they will use - erase or write).

• Flipchart, document, document under document camera, or website that students can annotate over but not have to manipulate the document (turning the page, scrolling up or down). 

Epson Projectors with Dual Mode in ActivInspire (max - 2 students on pens, 1+ students on touch (but students using touch must agree on what tool they are using :)).  **Requires a request for a driver update through SchoolDude to make Dual Mode functional on our computers.**

• Flipchart with a student's name assigned to each page
• Flipchart that students share 
• 2 students on pen, 1 student on touch - all 3 can write and interact with the flipchart independently
• Up to 6 students could be at the board at once if they are only manipulating objects.
• Interactive Website (only 1 student can use a website because websites are designed for only 1 user at a time).
• Project worksheet or graphic organizer for students to annotate using Desktop Annotate through ActivInspire OR turn off Touch Input and have them write using the white board and dry erase marker.  Can also use the document camera to project something for students to write on.

Work done in flipcharts can be printed out as evidence of student work for assessments or be sent home.  Click here to see how to print out flipcharts.

Click here to learn how to change what buttons are available to students in the ActivInspire toolbar.
Click here to turn on/off page gestures in ActivInspire.


Some ideas for Centers...
Don't forget to check out Promethean Planet!

Language Arts

• Word Work activities - there's an alphabet chart you can use as a template available in the browser of ActivInspire or ask me (Corey) for a template.
• build words - say it, make it, write it.
• Embed sound files - record your self saying a word and students have to write it or make it with letters
• Finding letters, words, spelling patterns, syllable parts by highlighting or circling.
• Name Recognition / Get to Know You Activities - take students pictures and put them into the flipchart to match with their name or spell using the letter tiles
• Writing letters or spelling words practice
• Written response to a task
• Reading Center - poem, article, online text (like texts from Raz-Kids or Starfall).

Math

• Interactive tools - calculator, ruler, protractor, dice, timer
• Writing numbers
• Solving Math Problems
• Acting out Math problems
• Showing how to make a number in different ways

Art 

• Drawing a picture to be used in a story (digital or print out)

Science

• Measurement tools - thermometer, balance, scale templates available in the Browser and on Promethean Planet

ActivInspire Setup with Touch

      If you have an Epson projector, these steps will help ActivInspire work better with the interactive touch.

1. Under FILE, go to SETTINGS.

2. Go to DUAL MODE ACTIVBOARDS.

3. Check to see that these are the options you have selected.

• Touch Input - Touch and ActivPen
• Touch Interoperability - Default
• Default Tool for Touch - recommend SELECT
• Default Object Interaction Mode - Any
• Enable Page Turn Gestures - your choice (if you don't like pages to turn with a swipe, uncheck this box).
• Enable Touch Pen and Zoom - recommend uncheck this

4. Click DONE to save the changes.  

Fixing Objects Size

         With the new projectors being touch capable, it is now extremely easy to resize objects in flipcharts, which of course can be very annoying during lessons.  Here's how to fix objects so you can't resize the object using touch, but still move them around the screen.  If after the fact you need to adjust the size of an object, switch over to edit mode (click on blue icon to make it orange), then you can resize the object.  

1. First, click on the object you would like to fix so it can't be resized.

2. Right click on the object and select PROPERTY BROWSER (or click F9).

3. The Property Browser will open up.  Scroll down to the bottom and click RESTRICTORS.  (It may already be expanded, it depends on if you've used the Property Browser before).

4. Find CAN SIZE.  Click on the pull down menu. 

5. In the pull down menu, select NO.

6. Then, save your flipchart to save the changes.  You will still be able to move the object around the chart, but you won't be able to resize the object unless you switch the design mode to edit (orange square).  

Another option...

• You can select the next menu down - INTERACTION MODE.

• Change it to PEN ONLY.  This way students or you can't move it without using a pen.

Design Mode Tooltip Hints (Removing them)

If you get annoyed with the yellow box with tool tip hints popping up when using the Promethean Board, here's how to get rid of it...

1. Click on EDIT.
2. Go to the bottom of the list and click DESIGN MODE SETTINGS.
3. Click on the Settings tab.
4. On the left side, click DESIGN MODE.
5. At the bottom of the list, un-check the box next to SHOW DESIGN MODE TOOL TIP HINTS.

ActivInspire Tidbit - Page Extender

ActivInspire Tutorials

       Tutorial Movies on Promethean's Website: When you click on the link, you will see a Getting Started movie first.  If you scroll down to just below the movie, you will see tabs (like Getting Started, Using Resources and Shapes, etc).  Under each tab will be several tutorial movies related to that topic.

• Click here if you use ActivInspire Primary.

• Click here if you use ActivInspire Studio.

Here's some other helpful resources....

• Groton's Promethean / ActivInspire Page (Use your email username/password to log in).
• ActivInspire Tidbits (tools listed ABC order). 
• Click here for general information on what's located where in the Menus - highlighted parts are tools that are less familiar to teachers.
• Click here for one of many Tips and Tricks PDF's posted online.