New software for Promethean whiteboards

Promethean have issued a new version of the software used on their whiteboards. It's called ActivInspire (now at version 1.4) and it is loaded onto all the classroom PCs and most office PCs at Selly Oak now.

Several teachers have already started to use it, and have found it easy to adapt to. The old software is still on these PCs, so you can continue to use ActivStudio for a while, and any flipcharts that you have designed or used in the past will happily transfer over to ActivInspire.

What's different?

The look for a start - it looks more modern and works like a Windows application. For example it has drop down menus at the top of the screen, which are duplicated on the toolbar for easy use. These menus look and work like ones you have become familiar with in other applications such as Word.

Also, you can configure the program to look and work like Activstudio or Powerpoint when you start using it.

Many of the existing features are still there, but they may be in a different place. For example, the page turner is no longer fixed to the side of the flipchart; it has been integrated into the toolbar, so you can turn pages from wherever you are.

There are new features too. The best way is to go straight to Download (below) and try it out for yourself, or have a look at Training first.

Here is a quick look at what's new in 1.4 (click on 'What's new') and here is a pdf guide to new features

Training

As usual with Promethean, there are free on-line courses to help you:

• a 'migrating to activinspire' course for previous users of Activstudio
• an 'introduction to activinspire' course, designed for new users, but also good for those of you with experience - if you want another certificate to put on your wall, this is the one

If you haven't used their on-line training before, you will need to register first. Then sign in and enrol on the free online ActivInspire course.

Download Personal edition for use at home

Teachers can download a personal version of the software, making it easier to prepare materials in the comfort of your own home. Go to this page and click on the reddish-brown 'Download Version 1.4' button bottom-left of the screen.

From the next page, you can choose a version for Windows, Mac or Linux operating system and then follow the procedure, filling in the form as you go. As you are using this at home (the 'Personal Edition') you can ignore any questions about serial numbers, both software and hardware.

You should end up at this screen message:

Thank you for choosing ActivInspire

You have downloaded ActivInspire Personal Edition.

Once installed you will be given the option to:

1. Run Personal Edition - FREE
2. Run a 60 Day trial of Professional Edition. This will revert to Personal Edition after the 60 Day trial.
3. Ignore this option
4. Ignore this option
   
   
   Choose either option 1 or option 2 and then get to work. Let me know how you get on by adding comments here.
   
   
   David