Getting an ActivBoard: Need advice

[Krys_617]

Hi Everyone!

I am new to this board and new to the whole ActivBoard community. I just received a grant to place a board in my room. [clap] I will be ordering everything later in the week from our rep. My principal told me to make sure I know exactly what I want when I come in later to order.

So, for all you experienced teachers...what bells and whistles do you find helpful or essential on your board? I teach High School language arts, and am running a Mac system.

Any help you give would be much appreciated :)

Thanks

Krys

[LisaD]

Here are some things to consider:

Dual User- some Activboards (like the 300 pro) have built-in dual user functionality. This would allow (for example) two students to write simultaneously at the board...highlight adverbs in a paragraph. Move objects around... See the ActivTips Videos here to give you more ideas on Dual User.
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/server.php?show=nav.1147

Learner Response Devices- You may want to consider getting ActivExpresion devices for your students. That way they can all send in answers to questions you post on the Activboard or just contribute an idea. Not just for testing, a great way to ensure whole group participation (and true engagement).
http://www.prometheanworld.com/server.php?show=nav.15997

Sound- How will the students hear stuff? Hear sounds from websites or things in your lesson (sounds from the computer) or...hear you or each other. There are some cool things like ActivSound that you wear around you neck. It aplifies your speech in a special way so everyone hears you equally (and you save your voice). Read more hear!
http://www.prometheanworld.com/server.php?show=nav.16543

Training- How will you receive training? Face to face class? Online course. You may want to look at this so that you can get up to speed in the shortest time!

ActiView- if you want to share paper documents with students, you may wan to consider an ActiView document camera/visualizer. You can read more about it here:
http://www.prometheanworld.com/server.php?show=nav.19099

Finally, there is a fun interactive demo called My Activclassroom. If you click below and then the learn tab, you can seen fun demonstration of many of the things I wrote of above.
http://www.prometheanworld.com/server.php?show=nav.19269

Oh, and seek out lots of ideas and flipcharts from other High School Langage Arts teachers here on Planet!
Here's a video (Teacher Feature) of Laura Brown who is teaching Shakespeare.
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/server.php?show=nav.2811

There are loads of great themes for high school language arts, too.


Manga Shakespeare
Writing and Vocabulary
Poetry
Literature


Soooooo much!

Lisa

[dannyabbott]

HI Krys,

Not sure if you were looking for a competitve quote but please let me quote for your new board/system.

Askelite operate in UK and will be able to provide you a very competitive quote.

Askelite are a Premier partner with Promethean and have been for many years please contact me on:

daniel.abbott@askelite.co.uk

Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Dan