First Day of School

[lizhoppe]

My new board has been ordered and should arrive over the summer, but I want to be ready to hit the ground running. What are some skills I will need to teach my kids so they know how to interact with the board?

What training do you need to give your kids so that my lessons can just go?

Thanks for your help!
Liz

(by the way, I did a search and didn't find anything, but if you want to point me in the direction of another thread, that's fine with me)

[dandrews]

Start with the basics on creating flipcharts with the free online class:
http://prometheanlearning.com/us/

Then check out the ACTIVtips here: http://www.prometheanplanet.com/us/server/show/nav.1252

I like to do much of my flipchart creations over the summer so I can get a heads up on my teaching. Use your curriculum as a guide toward your flipchart creations. But do be sure to check out the Resources for concepts relating to your content. Click here: http://www.prometheanplanet.com/us/server/show/nav.802

[Alison]

Hi Liz +wave+

This sentence jumped out at me...

What training do you need to give your kids so that my lessons can just go?

The answer to that one is practically none! Just a quick word about the pens and not to bang them against the board and they're off and away! I just had a new girl arrive in my class (with 20 seconds warning!!) and she watched me do the introduction to the lesson, then, when the children were passing the pen on to each other, she got up and just interacted with the board. No problems at all! They'll see what you do and pick it up naturally. My children are 6-7 years old and already know far more than most of the other staff. I could say it's because they're so open to new things, love to learn, with quick minds and embrace technology. Or I could say that it's because they had such a good role model!! :eek::D

[LisaD]

This section on Promethean Planet, called Flipchart Fundamentals was designed to be a step by step guide for new users. It includes many of the points and ideas that Donna just mentioned.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/us/server/show/nav.942

It suggests looking at the Teacher Feature Videos first - for inspiration, then the next steps...

Lisa

[BenPosner]

One final note on training you kids (and subs/custodial staff/other people) is to make sure you have a sign somewhere near the board that nothing should be used to write on the board or something like that... Mine says, "Electronic NOT DRY ERASE Board. Please do not write on this board with anything!"

~Ben

[lizhoppe]

Thanks for the ideas (or the idea that I don't need ideas because they will figure it out;)). I assure you I have spent more time in the last few weeks with the software than... well, the people here probably would believe, huh? I am not worried at all about myself doing the flip charts, but thanks for the links, I'll check them out.

It was more wondering how I would get my students ready to use it. But, it sounds like I won't really need to. I will make a nice sign to not use dry erase markers... right after we name the board so he can be one of my family. :p

[mccoyd]

Your kids will have NO problem using the board. We have kids in Kindergarten creating flipcharts at our school. These kids are lucky enough to have a teacher that lets them interact and use the board. The kids in her class can pull out resources, take pictures with the camera tool, add sound, and save pages! I don't think that you'll have any problem with showing the kids what to do with it!

[srchlc]

You've spent a lot of time with the software and you think we wouldn't believe you. I assure you that you are preaching to the choir! We have all spent more time than is probably healthy playing with the software. My husband thinks I'm an addict! Let us know what kind of help you need... +wave+

Holli

[lizhoppe]

yeah, I think my husband might be putting me in the "addict" category pretty soon, too, Holli!

[karenadams]

One of the best ways to learn a new software is to PLAY with it. Once school starts, use some of your flipcharts you've dabbled in over the summer or that you have downloaded from Promethean Planet, and hit the ground running. I always say the best way to learn is make mistakes - then you correct yourself and off you go.... or better yet, your kids will correct you, then it becomes a learning experience for all.

Good luck!
Karen

[ccwombat]

I agree, my first graders took to the board like fish to water. They are always "advising" me when I am using the board. "You are on the Marquee tool", "you forgot to use the undo button" etc. I love this! they are so involved and yet so comfortable, they don't think much of it, to them it is "easy" to use the features.
Myra and I decided that we need an AA group of our own (activboard anonymous :)...we all love to spend our time with it...
Enjoy your new board!!!{}