In this module, learners will be introduced to and practice using a variety of tools and techniques: Math Tools, Other Tools, customizing your toolbox, and advanced techniques (containers, restrictors, and embedding media/links).
Tasks:
1. Explore Math Tools
Use tools to model and practice measurement.
You will find all the math tools in the toolbox when using the Mathematics Profile and tools can be placed in the toolbox for any profile by customizing your toolbox (see #4 below).
Ruler: Click on the ruler in the toolbox or tools menu to add it to the page and activate the ruler's menu. Click on the ruler's menu icon to modify attributes: Top Scale, Bottom Scale (mm, cm, in, none), and Show Angle (checked, unchecked). Mouseover the rule to activate move/rotate capability and use handles to shorten or lenthen the ruler. To remove the ruler from the page, click on the small menu icon and select 'Close.'
Protractor: Click on the protractor in the toolbox or tools menu to add it to the page and activate the protractor's menu. Click on the small menu icon to modify attributes: Full Protractor, Half Protractor, Arc, Closed Arc, and Show Angle. Adjust size and rotation as with the ruler. Mouseover curved edge to adjust size. To remove the protractor from the page, click on its menu and select 'Close.'
Compass: Add compass to page and modify attributes via menu icon as with the ruler and protractor. Use pen modifiers to select color and thickness then click and drag pencil lead to rotate compass and draw.
Calculator: Click on the calculator icon to open the gadget. The calculator does not become part of the flipchart.
Dice Roller: Click on the die icon to open the gadget. Like the calculator, it does not become part of the flipchart. Use drop down menu and slide to adjust number of dice and speed. Click "roll" to roll the dice and 'Output to flipchart' to send that number to the current page of your flipchart. The number will appear with whatever text format settings (font, size, color) are currently selected.
The dice roller and calculator are accessible outside of ActivInspire via the Desktop Tools Wonderwheel.
2. Explore other ActivInspire Tools
Magic Ink: View the "Eraser vs. Ink" video in ActivTips (it's about two-thirds of the way down this list in the player window). Magic Ink is a very dynamic tool for flipchart interactivity!
Revealer: The revealer allows you to cover part of a flipchart page without altering its content. The revealer can be opened from the top, bottom, or either side to reveal content underneath. Revealer color and animation speed can be modified in Edit/Profiles (Authoring)/Settings/Effects. Click on the color cube to change the color: select a color from the palette or use the Color Picker (eyedropper) to choose a color that matches your flipchart page or "World" color.
Spotlight: The Spotlight masks page content allowing just a portion to be seen. Unlike the revealer, that portion may be anywhere on the page. The Spotlight can be circular or square and the size can be altered by clicking and draging the border. A number of attributes can be modified, including border color and thickness, in Edit/Profiles (Authoring)/Settings/Effects.
Use the Properties Browser to add/remove Page Tools in your flipchart. Steps: 1) Navigate to desired page in flipchart, 2) Open Properties Browser/Tools, 3) Select revealer or spotlight from Page Tools drop down menu, 4) Select desired Revealer/Spotlight Mode, 5) Go to the next page in the flipchart and select desired page tools. "Tools Off" will remove any tools that were on the previous page. "As Before" will retain tools used in the previous page. Default is "As Before."
Handwriting Recognition: This allows you to "type" at the board without using the onscreen keyboard. Handwritten text is converted to typed text and can be edited (color, font, size) on the spot, as you would any other text.
Shape Recognition: Drawing made with the pen tool will be converted to a standard shape.
Clock: The clock can be used to see the current time and can also be used to count up or count down during an activity. Time can be displayed in analog or digital form (or both) with or without a second hand, 12 or 24 hours. Clock size can be adjusted and the clock tool is one of the desktop tools available outside of ActivInspire. Click on the down arrows to use the clock to count up or down a desired number of hours/minutes/seconds.
4. Customize your Toolbox
Now that you have had a chance to explore a number of tools, it's time to customize your toolbox. Deleting unused tools (clutter) will make it easy for you and your students to locate the tools you need and adding often used tools will eliminate the need for navigating menus during instruction.
By default, ActivInspire has five profiles: Authoring, At the Board, Languages, Mathematics, and Media.
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to customize your toolbox and marque handles:
5. Advanced Techniques There are many advanced techniques that will add functionality to your flipcharts. Here are a few tutorials to get you started: