SMARTBoard
User Notes
(Note:
These notes have accumulated from conversations with
users and trainers. They are listed in no special order.
Not all have been confirmed)
SMARTBoard
User modes:
- mouse - (simple to master) Use the
board as if the board where a giant trackpad (pick up
nothing from the tray after orientation)
- layer or transparency
- (moderate amount of time to learn) a transparent layer
is framed above the page or desktop seen after picking
up an object from the tray. The layer and window/s under
can be selected and saved to Notebook file pages using
the "camera" icon found on the left side of
the toolbar.
- Notebook - (short time to start -
long [should be fun] time to learn all capabilities)
SMARTBoard specific application. Open Notebook from
the SMARTBoard menu. Sharable using SMARTBoard software
or use SMARTBoard reader software on other computers.
To
start, a user must download SMARTBoard software from:
http://www2.smarttech.com/st/enUS/
Support/Downloads/default.htm Do all updates.
Update
Update
SMARTBoard software
Do
ALL updates so the Gallery with K-12 files is compete.
Update
Teacher Essentials to include ALL files.
More
tips
Orientation
or alignment for most SMART Board users is done with
the default 9 points. Many Math teachers like 20 points.Set
computers to not to go to sleep.
Connect
power supplies to laptops - battery drain will be fast.
Light
on right side of Smart Board frame should be steady
green.
Constant
firm pressure needs to be used on the SMART Board when
dragging or drawing.
The
plastic markers and eraser have no special technology
imbedded. Other items can be used in their place in
the tray (paper or foam) and when using the Board (finger
or any material that will not scratch).
A tennis ball is commonly used with students.
The
tray has optical sensors. The last "tray item"
removed is the color or eraser that will appear on the
screen.
Only
one line is drawn at a time from the last tray color
activated.
A
"marker" or input device for students with
special needs could be a finger, hand, fist, tennis
ball, etc.
The
line thickness, color, and other characteristics is
set in preferences.
One
continuous, firm touch is needed when drawing ay shape.
Lifting up or uneven pressure will cause segmented lines.
Getting
use to the Notebook and screen overlay idiosyncrasies
is probably the earliest hurdle to overcome.
Ink
Ready (editing drawing, writing and saving on Office
documents) is for PC only at this time.
PowerPoint
slides can be written on (Mac and PC) and saved (PC).
Printing
on the PC allows handouts with multiple pages on one
sheet. Mac seems to only print one page per sheet.
PCs
have "Ink Aware" ability for Word, PowerPoint,
and Excel -- drawings can be embedded and saved; written
letters or numbers can be recognized and entered as
text. Ink Aware buttons appear on the left side of the
Office toolbars. "Activate" - "Enter"
in to document - "Copy" Window to a Notebook
page.
A
Notebook viewer software (read only) is available to
use Notebook files on other board products and for students
to use on home computers.Nno licensing needed.
Update
the Gallery with all grade level and content updates.
The
symbol "..." in tool bars means more choices.
Handwriting
Recognition:
Mac - Text
PC - Text and Handwriting
Set
Mac Dock to LEFT SIDE, Magnify OFF, and DON'T HIDE to
avoid problems with activating Dock while working on
any window with the SMART Board.
Use
freehand, square, and full screen capture tools for
copying screen items. It will open Notebook with the
image. Captures can be put into other applications.
Launch
floating tools by picking up a pen.
Floating
tools can be oriented to be vertical.
The
Floating Tool Bar can disappear, get modified to not
appear, or get turned off. Get it back by Restore Floating
Tool bar to Default.
Find
more virtual manipulative from a Google
search using "national library of manipulatives".
One example: http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html
Lost
your overlay layer and it timed out? Pick up a maker,
go to the floating tools > go back tool (curving
arrow). Brings back the most recent overlay only.
Don't
use floating tools in Notebook. Transparency layer causes
confusion.
Add
downloadable icon identification sheet near the board.
Notebook
files save as _____ xbk is for older versions. The older
files may open on the newer version.
On
Macs, old and new versions of SMART software applications
can be opened accidentally - see if two icons are in
the Mac dock
On
a Mac, just drag pictures from a webpage to Notebook
Use
arrow on Notebook tab to move feature column to right
or left.
Use
small circle near right top of Notebook window to move
tool bar from top to bottom. Bottom is good for younger
students.
In
Dual Page View you can "pin" a page to keep
it remaining as other pages are viewed. View page dropdown
menu.
Saving
Notebook File Suggestions heard from Users:
- Large files could cause slow downs.
- All - Save notebook files as units vs. every day,
week, or month - helps with review.
-
Secondary - save Files as period numbers/units.
Bluetooth
connection - if red light is on, reset the connection
with the REST button found on the small black box behind
the right side of the SMARTBoard. The button is near
the green light in the on the small black box - the
Bluetooth unit.
Word
to Notebook - Print copy to Notebook
PowerPoint
- import to Notebook
Scanning
documents may be enabled. Look for "scan to Notebook"
in the dropdown menu
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