Most notebook software will enable you to import PowerPoint files, (but it is made easier by saving them as PDF files) into your notebook files. Sometimes I prefer to create my activities in PowerPoint because of the templates and designs.
The following is an example of a cloze activity, based on instructional reader. It is created in PowerPoint, I added a template, then saved as a PDF file and then imported into Activstudio (File-Import-From PDF) where students can use the tools to fill in the words.
and into 'mimo' notebook (File-Import)
and drag the PDF file onto a Smartbook notebook page.
Teachers want to know ways to engage students in editing their own writing. If you have a projector, whiteboard (or even better an IWB) try this. Start off with Joe Davis's site http://www.telescopictext.com/ I ask students to describe what the tea could taste like, write some answers above the text, then click on the word 'tea'. New text will be inserted into the sentence.
We carry on in this mode predicting, describing and analysing the new edited text until we can go no further.
The next day we can look at this website which is based on Joe Davis's site http://basseq.com/fun/telescopictext/ Now we can add our own words by replacing the text that is already there by highlighting the word to be changed, click on Replace, type new word and then click on Submit changes.
The third day can then be spent looking at Tripticos Word Magnet site. Type in a sentence. When you type in the full stop make sure there is a space between it and the last word. Click Next.
In the next window you can choose from many different backgrounds but for my editing lesson I will keep to a blank page
Click on Done and the next page will appear with your text broken up into text boxes. Click and drag them up to make a sentence.
Now start adding new words by typing in the 'Add new magnet box', once you have clicked the + symbol, click on a colour to change the colour of your text box. Drag it into the correct place. Use the colour coding to identify adjectives, conjunctions etc.
This is a great way to get students interested in editing their work and to see how a sentence can come alive. These are the type of activities that I like to use with children as part of my modelling and teaching. This will work well with just a projector and computer, but the Interactive Whiteboard would allow students to take over the manipulation of text and objects. Smartboards 'Ink Aware' software allows you to edit in Word. So this activity could be carried on in Word, using the Smartboard software that will recognise your ink writing, turn it into text and insert into your sentence. This is demonstrated in the Youtube movie below
I keep being asked which is my favourite out of all the IWBs I have used. I can't say I have a definite preference for one particular model as they all have features I like (and don't like) so here is where they stand at the moment as of August 2009!
If I was choosing for Software - Activboard If I was choosing for Price - Mimio If I was choosing for interactive features (uses both hands and pens) - Smartboard
I can't ultimately choose one product! Now, if only somebody could come up with a product that incorporated all three...
I am a big fan of Inspiration and Kidspiration and use them for all curriculum areas. But if you have a 'Smartboard' then you will have similar software called 'Smart Ideas Concept Writing' that works seamlessly with the Smartboard touch technology. Pluses - easy to add more symbols - easy to move symbols around - has a note feature - uses symbols for hyperlinks and notes - remembers the changes you made to the symbols (such as colour and shape) - software is easy to use and navigate around - the strongest feature for me was the converting of ink to text and inserting into a symbol
Minuses - less graphics available, can download more from website (Inspiration accesses internet for more) - can only change colour of symbol outlines (can't adjust thickness) - doesn't show spelling mistakes
The first example shown below is Smart Ideas and Inspiration below that. Overall I was very impressed with Smart Ideas, so if you have a Smartboard in your classroom, use it for all curriculum areas as I use Inspiration or Kidspiration. Here are some Kidspiration and Inspiration examples. WeeMee Character Graphics created in Weeworld
Most notebook software will enable you to import PowerPoint files, (but it is made easier by saving them as PDF files) into your notebook files. Sometimes I prefer to create my activities in PowerPoint because of the templates and designs.
