Module 8: Create a Flipchart

Overview:

In this module, learners will be guided through the process of creating a flipchart. Topics will include: lesson planning, interactivity, basic tools, evaluation, and sharing.

Tasks:


1. Review Flipchart Fundamentals
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/professional-development/flipchart-fundamentals.aspx
Visit this page on Promethean Planet which presents six steps for creating quality content for your students:
  • Step 1: Use proven lesson planning strategies
  • Step 2: Maximize student participation
  • Step 3: Start with the basics
  • Step 4: Use existing resources
  • Step 5: Sharpen your skills
  • Step 6: Share ideas and lessons with others

2. Plan Your Lesson
  • Select an upcoming lesson that would benefit from the addition of flipchart interactivity. The best flipcharts aren't necessarily the ones with all the bells and whistles, they are the ones that address specific learning targets.
  • Review lessons on Promethean Planet to see if there is a flipchart you can use or modify for your needs.
  • Use the ActivIspire Flipchart Rubric (PDF) to guide your work: http://www.prometheanplanet.com/documents/uk-us/pdf/professional-development/activinspire-flipchart-rubric.pdf
  • Sketch it out. Jot down ideas and/or create a simple paper-and-pencil draft of how you want your flipchart to look. See Module 6 for a review of design principles.
  • Gather resources. If district-owned curriculum materials will be used there are often digital copies available. Copyright friendly images may be found at Wikimedia Commons, Clker.com, and OpenClipArt.com. Bookmark Web sites and online resources that will be used or paste links into planning documents. Remember, everything your students see in the flipchart should add meaning to the lesson.

3. Create Your Flipchart
  • Review use of tools as needed. If you are new to ActivInspire and haven't looked at Module 2 yet, that would be a good place to start as it introduces commonly used tools. For more with tools, see Module 9 and Promethean's ActivTips. View online handout as needed: http://www.youblisher.com/p/30693-ActivInspire-Final-Handout/
  • Add content to your flipchart.
  • Save early and save often. There is nothing more frustrating than losing a document you've spent a lot of time on. Organizing your flipcharts into folders will make them easier to find when you need them.
  • Click on Object Browser to see layers. Every image, button, or text box you put on the page is a separate object and sometimes they get hidden behind each other. In the Objects Browser, click on an item in the list to see where it is on the flipchart page (handles will appear). Drag list items up and down to place them on top of, or underneath, other objects. Anything higher on the list will be on top of those things that are lower on the list. For a review of the various browsers, see the browsers tutorial in Module 7.
  • Click on the Notes Browser and add notes to each page (i.e., overview, interactivity, suggested activities). For flipcharts you will be sharing, this will be very helpful for others who use your flipchart. When you use the flipchart in the future it will refresh your memory.
  • Edit content, design, and functionality. Use ActivInspire's spell check feature to check individual pages or the entire document. On pages with interactive components, make sure you lock those components that you want to keep in place. Also, do a run-through at the board to make sure everything works the way you want it to.
  • Use rubric (Step 2 above) to evaluate your flipchart and make final edits as needed.

4. Share Your Flipchart
  • Before sharing outside of your school district, double-check district policies.
  • Copyright protected images and content should not be shared. Exceptions: If you hold the copyright you may share as you wish use Creative Commons to license your work. Flipchart content that is derived from district-owned resources (science book, for example) may be shared within the district.
  • Many districts have an Intranet in which teachers may share resources amongst themselves. D109 teachers are encouraged to upload flipcharts to their Collaborative Team Portal.
  • Flipcharts can also be uploaded to Promethean Planet. Again, please check your district's policies before doing so.