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toc = IMPORTANT: This lesson was designed for ActivStudio. While the techniques and tips still apply to ActivInspire, the location and function of the tools may vary. You have been warned. = = = =Fun Activity= [|Two_eyes.flp]

=What Does the Activboard Do?= The Activboard serves the following functions:
 * 1) Controls the computer by functioning as a mouse
 * 2) Works as an interactive whiteboard
 * 3) Interfaces with Microsoft Office documents

=Setting Up the Activboard=

Required Items

 * Promethean Activboard
 * Promethean Activstudio Software
 * Promethean Activpen
 * Activboard power supply
 * Activboard USB cable
 * LCD projector and cable

Connecting and Calibrating the Activboard

 * 1) Be sure the Activstudio software is installed on the computer.
 * 2) Connect the video cable from the PC to the projector.
 * 3) If using a laptop, be sure to activate the video port. This is usually achieved by pressing Fn+F7.
 * 4) Verify that the Activboard is plugged into an outlet. The flame in the upper-left corner of the board should be illuminated.
 * 5) Connect the board's USB cable to any available USB port on the PC. Wait for Windows XP to report that the hardware is ready to use.
 * 6) Calibrate the board. Begin the calibration process by hovering the pen over the flame power indicator for approximately five (5) seconds. Follow the onscreen directions. If the hover method doesn't work, you can calibrate by right-clicking the Promethean Activcontrol icon in the system tray.
 * 7) The board can now be used to control the PC. You must use the Activpen to control the board.


 * Note:** Once the board is calibrated, moving either the board or the projector will require you to re-calibrate the board. If the board and projector are mounted, calibration need only be done when the board behaves oddly.

Starting the Activstudio Software

 * 1) Click the Start menu.
 * 2) Choose All Programs > Activ Software > Activstudio3 > Activstudio Professional Edition V3.
 * 3) The software splash screen will appear. After a few moments, the dashboard and toolstore will appear.


 * Note:** If the Activboard's USB cable is not attached, you will receive an alert stating the same.

=The Dashboard= The dashboard is a starting point for most Activstudio tasks. It can be used to create flipcharts, change settings, and get support. The dashboard consists of five (5) tabbed areas.



The dashboard tabs:
 * 1) **New/Open:** Create new Flipcharts. Open existing Flipcharts. Turn on Activmarker. Convert PowerPoint files. Export Flipcharts to other formats.
 * 2) **Configure:** Calibrate the board. Setup Activote. Customize the toolstore. Create and open profiles.
 * 3) **Online:** Checkout the latest Promethean news using the browser built in to Activstudio.
 * 4) **Training:** Links to available Promethean training resources.
 * 5) **Support:** Check for Activstudio updates. Determine the current driver version.

=The Toolstore= Promethean is a British company, so toolbar just doesn't work for them. They went with toolstore, and here it is:



[|Click here to download a copy of the Toolstore cheat sheet.]

Practice Using the Tools

 * 1) From the dashboard, click New Flipchart.
 * 2) Using the guide above, experiment with the tools and settings.
 * 3) To make a blank page, simply click the right-pointing arrow on the right edge of the screen.

Using the Recognition Tool
The recognition tool works only when the board is connected. It will recognize printed and cursive text, numbers and shapes. To turn on the tool, simply click the button on the Toolstore.

=The Power Tools=



Making a Tickertape

 * 1) Click the Tickertape button on the Powertools bar.
 * 2) Choose New > Define.
 * 3) Enter the text message.
 * 4) Format the font as you would like.
 * 5) Choose a position for the tickertape.
 * 6) Click OK.


 * Note:** You can adjust the speed and pause the tickertape using the controls below the message.

=The Resource Library= Think of the resource library as a clipart collection. You can find items by category, and then drag them to the flipchart. To access the resource library:
 * 1) Click the stack of books found at the right edge of the screen.
 * 2) Choose a type of resource from the left edge of the library.
 * 3) Pick a category from the right of the resource library pop-out.
 * 4) Drag the resource from the library to the flipchart page.

Take some time to look at the resources.

Action Objects
Some objects are interactive. If a curved arrow appears next to the cursor when it is over an object, the object has an associated action. Clicking the object should activate it. Many action objects are located in the resource library. You'll find them under Shared Collections: Lesson Building Tools: Action Objects. Many action objects are interactive Flash animations.

=Activote= Looking for a way to activate knowledge? Would you like to determine what your students already know? Need a way to spice up that review game? Consider using the Activote system.

Setting Up the Activote

 * 1) Locate the receiver. It is stored in the front right corner of the storage case.
 * 2) Remove the cap from the end of the receiver.
 * 3) Plug the receiver's USB connector into the USB extension cable.
 * 4) Place the receiver in the included cradle. Extend the antenna.
 * 5) Plug the end of the USB cable into your PC.
 * 6) When the receiver light begins to flash green it is ready.

Registering the Voters

 * 1) From the Dashboard, click the Configure tab.
 * 2) Click the Register Devices link under the Activote section.
 * 3) If this is the first time you have used Activote with the PC you are using, click Remove All. Confirm the warning.
 * 4) Click Register.
 * 5) Tell Activstudio how many devices you are registering. Each box contains 32 voters.
 * 6) Follow the on-screen directions to register the voters. Note that the registration code changes each time registration is performed.
 * 7) When all voters are registered, the window will disappear and return to the list of registered devices. If you need to stop registration (for example, you attempted to register 25 voters but had only 24 students) you may do so at any time.
 * 8) Click OK to close the voter registration window.

Note: Once you have registered all devices with your PC, there is no need to re-register them the next time. The PC will "remember" the partnership between itself and the voters.

Using the Voters

 * 1) Open a flipchart that features questions in multiple choice format.
 * 2) When you reach the first question, click the voter button found at the bottom of the toolstore.
 * 3) The software will ask you to choose a mode. Select Anonymous Mode.
 * 4) Select the number of voters you will use for the session.
 * 5) Click OK.
 * 6) You will need to click the voter button one more time to start voting.
 * 7) Look at the top of the screen. Notice the individual voters as students respond. Click the stop button under the large voter icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
 * 8) A graph will show the student responses.
 * 9) Either close the graph or paste it on to the flipchart page.
 * 10) Move to the next question page and repeat the process.


 * Note:** In some instances, after registering the devices, the voters will not show up when you attempt to select the number of voters. If this happens, simply close Activstudio and reopen the flipchart. This usually fixes the issue.

=Where do I go for help?=

[|Promethean Planet:] Find additions to the resource library and get support. You have to create a free account to access the services. The forum is a great place to get help from Promethean users and employees.

[|Promethean Learning:] Take online courses. The first course, an [|Activstudio foundations course], is free. This free course is highly recommended for all Activstudio users.

If the above self-help options don't offer a solution, contact Mike Baker.