ActivOffice

Promethean has released a new application called Promethean ActivOffice, a new tool that adds a range of interactive features to Microsoft Office PowerPoint.

The program embeds a new toolbar within the Microsoft PowerPoint ribbon giving users access to new tools, including additional presentation tools as well as the ability to annotate directly on presentations or conduct simple polls or assessments using Promethean Learner Response Systems (ActivExpression, ActiVote and ActivEngage). Using these Promethean ActivOffice features, presenters can reinforce key content, make presentations more memorable, and engage audiences transforming their experience from being passive listeners to engaged participants.

Currently Promethean ActivOffice is available for Windows® Operating Systems. The program is currently not compatible with MS Office 64x or on Apple® computers. Sorry Mac fans…

ACTIVExpression

These ideas about how to use ActivExpression devices from the Ron Clark Academy in the States seem like great fun and could be 'pinched' for use on your Open Evening.

They show what can be done when you add the flexibility of the device to some ideas to engage the 'kinaesthetic'-focused learners.

So the Pen aspect of your board is finally working...

Now that the interactive pen feature is working across the Promethean boards in the Academy, staff may want to refresh their training on Board features. Promethean offer their own free basic online training - certificates available! - via Promethean Planet. Remember that free membership of Promethean Planet also enables you to download resources created by other teachers.

There are four courses available (see below): one which focuses on the board, another that introduces ActivInspire, a course on ActivExpression and also one that explores the potential of the ActivOffice feature available in Powerpoint.

ActivOffice is a way of getting some features of ActivInspire working with Powerpoint without needing to have ActivInspire running on your computer. Apart from including the voting elements of ActivExpression, it also provides the facility to use some of the ActivTool set.

Support: 22nd September 2011

Drop-In Sessions: Break / Lunch / After-School.... any Promethean or Office 2010 issues / questions. Remember no question too big or small.

Disregarding the annoying music, some useful Office 2010 tips presented in the Youtube vid below

interactive...or not interactive... that is the question...

By Friday last week we were able to test a 'work-around' for the problem with the Interactive Whiteboards in D, F & G corridors. The work-around was tested in 4 G corridor rooms, and involved reducing the sensitivity of the boards to interaction. This measn that pen-based interaction does work, but touch-based interaction doesn't.

This is not a solution to the initial problem which caused the 'mouse frenzy' of the cursor bouncing around randomly opening programs. It has been rolled out to more rooms on G floor this morning with no reported problems at present (Monday 11.27am), and will be applied in more rooms in D, F & G corridors when the electricians can gain access.

Staff Meeting... Thank You

We appreciated the chance to answer some questions tonight at the Staff Meeting. Particular thanks to those colleagues who shared ongoing issues with us at the end of the meeting. We were able to rectify a couple of problems that people have been dealing with since last week, and also tell others when their hardware will be commissioned.

Have had my first booking for support via the  steve@releasingsuccess.co.uk email. The more the merrier...

www.releasingsuccess.co.uk is the name of my website where I try and blog occasionally on issues at the ICT/Education/Leadership interface... read 'classics' like 'Technology meets its Waterloo (Road)' and 'Always Look on the Bright Side'...

Booking Individual Support

Email Steve Warburton on Steve@releasingsuccess.co.uk to book a personal support session on Tuesday 13th, Friday 16th or Monday 19th September

Installation Update

Interactive Whiteboards:
On Floors D, F and G there is a problem with the electricity supply which is causing 'mouse frenzy' when the IWB is connected to the Teacher PC by the USB cable. To enable staff to work we have taken out the USB cable in these rooms, but it means the Board is not connected and pen/finger-based interactivity will not work. MAA are aware of the issue and electricians will be trying to rectify the problem as soon as possible. Otherwise installations are working well.

Email
We have been individually transferring your legacy emails into your new email folder that is being accessed via MySchool. If you haven't been supported by one of our 'purple shirts' for this process, then please come and see us in Room F18 to arrange a time for us to work through this with you.

Please continue to report issues to us. There will always be someone in F18 who can arrange some support for you.

ActivExpression Training Handouts

Remember to visit Wendy's website for ActivExpression handouts & flipcharts. There are 8 sets of handsets in MAA... coming soon... information about where they are and how you can get hold of them!