FLIPCHARTS

A flipchart is the work space in your ActivInspire window, where you create lessons. When you launch ActivInspire, a blank flipchart opens, ready for your input.

Flipcharts can include a vast range of objects, shapes and interactive features, including sounds, animations and actions.

You can work with as many flipcharts at the same time as you wish. Each flipchart opens within its own tab in the ActivInspire window. Move back and forth between flipcharts using the document tabs.

A flipchart can contain as many pages as you like.

Flipcharts created with ActivInspire have the file extension ‘.flipchart’.

SAVING FLIPCHARTS

To save a flipchart, go to File, and select Save or Save As.

You will be prompted to select a location on your device. Title your flipchart and select

Save

You also may choose to save your flipchart on your device so it appears under My Resources in the Resource Browser for easy access. To do this, be sure you save under the appropriate file path.

Export to PDF

To export your flipchart to a PDF, simply go to File, Export, All Pages to, then PDF.

You will be prompted to choose a destination on your device to save this PDF. Then select Save.

Note: Although you and your students may use tools or make changes to the flipchart during class, you can always use the Reset Page button on your main toolbox to restore your flipchart to its most recently saved state.

Reset Page icon

IMPORTING EXISTING RESOURCES

PowerPoints

ActivInspire allows you to import your existing resources, such as PowerPoints, saving you time, and providing you and your students the ability to use features like annotation tools.

Please note: Importing PowerPoints is only available for Windows users. For Mac users, a possible solution is to print your PowerPoint presentation as a PDF, then import it into ActivInspire as a PDF.

To import a PowerPoint, go to File, then Import. Choose from two options.

PowerPoint as Images means each slide of your PowerPoint imports as one static image that fills a whole flipchart page.

PowerPoint as Objects means items in your PowerPoint presentation become individual objects on each page of the flipchart, so you may edit and manipulate them.

You will be prompted to find your file. Then select Open. Depending on the size of your PowerPoint, it may take a moment to import.

The imported PowerPoint opens in a new flipchart file. To save, go to File, Save As.

Please note: ActivInspire does not yet support Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 or later. If this version is installed on your computer, you may encounter an error message when you try to import a PowerPoint file.

As a workaround, try removing any spaces or special characters from the file name and path. You may also find it helpful to save the file on your Desktop in the 97-2003 PowerPoint version.

PDFs

ActivInspire allows you to import your existing resources, such as PDFs, saving you time, and providing you and your students the ability to use features like annotation tools.

To import a PDF, simply go to File, then Import. Select PDF. You will be prompted to choose the file from your device. Then click Open.

Once selected, you have additional options – alter the page size to fit your needs, use all or part of the document, and use the PDF to make a new flipchart or insert it into one you currently have open.

Once you have made your selections, click Import.

Each page of the PDF becomes its own page within the flipchart.

To save, go to File, Save As.

SMART Notebook Files

ActivInspire allows you to import your existing resources, such as SMART Notebook files, saving you time, and providing you and your students the ability to use features like annotation tools.

To import a SMART Notebook file, go to File, Import, then SMART® Notebook File v8, v9, v9.5, v10.

You will be prompted to find your file. Then select Open. Depending on the size of your SMART Notebook file, it may take a moment to import.

The imported SMART Notebook file opens in a new flipchart file.

Each slide of your SMART Notebook file is now its own page within the flipchart.

To save, go to File, Save As.

ActivInspire software comes complete with a range of resources to help you quickly create dynamic lessons and activities.

To access, select Resource Browser from the Toolbar. Click the small black arrow to open Resource Locations and select Shared Resources. This resource library includes templates, backgrounds, grids, icons, sounds, subject-specific materials, and more.

To add a resource to your flipchart, select and drag it onto the page.

For help or more information regarding ActivInspire’s Shared Resources, please visit support.prometheanworld.com and search for “resource pack.”

INSERTING MULTIMEDIA

ActivInspire allows you to add images, sound, video files, and website links to your flipcharts with a few simple clicks, adding even more engagement and interaction to your lessons and activities.

Add media using the Insert Media from File icon from your toolbox, or go to Insert and select Media.

Insert Media from File icon

You will be prompted to locate and select the file from your device. Click Open.

You may then manipulate it like any other object.

Note: With images, you may also copy and paste from other sources directly onto your flipchart.

To add a website link to your flipchart, go to Insert and select Link. Choose from File, Website, or Embedded HTML.

Select Website to input a URL.

Decide how you would like the link to appear.

If you link the website to an existing object, you will see an icon of a blue circle with an arrow when you hover over the object in Presentation Mode. This indicates the link is live. Clicking the object will take you to directly to the website.

MATH TOOLS

Ruler and Protractor

The maths tools built into the ActivInspire software allow you to create robust lessons and facilitate authentic maths experiences in the classroom.

To access the Math Tools, select the Tools icon from your toolbox, or go to Tools, and select Maths Tools. Choose ruler or protractor.

Tools icon

To move the ruler or protractor around the page, drag the X icon.

Look for the arc to rotate the tool.

Resize the tool by dragging the sizing handles on either end. Select the small menu icon on the tool for more options.

To draw lines along the ruler or protractor, select your Pen tool. Hold down the pen as

you move it alongside the tool’s edge.

Fill an angle by aligning the protractor with your angle, then drawing the pen along the arc.

Select the tool’s menu, then Close to remove the tool from the page.

Set Square and Compass

The maths tools built into the ActivInspire software allow you to create robust lessons and facilitate authentic maths experiences in the classroom.

To access the Math Tools, select the Tools icon from your toolbox, or go to Tools, and select Maths Tools. Choose Set Square or Compass.

Tools icon

To move the set square or compass around the page, drag the X icon.

Look for the arc to rotate the tool.

Resize the tool by dragging the sizing handles on either end. Select the small menu icon on the tool for more options.

To draw lines along the set square, select your Pen tool. Hold down the pen as you

move it alongside the tool’s edge.

Drag the edge of the compass to adjust its radius. Hold down the tip of the pencil part of the compass and rotate to draw a circle in either direction. You may change your pen color and width.

Select the tool’s menu, then Close to remove the tool from the page.

XY Origin Tool

Using the XY origin tool in ActivInspire is a quick and easy way to help rotations come alive in your math lesson, lessons about orbits, and more.

Rotate any object by selecting it and using the Rotate Object marquee handle to spin it around its center point.

To change the rotation point, use the XY Origin Tool. You can access it from the Tools

icon from your toolbox, or go to Tools, Maths Tools, and select XY Origin.

Tools icon Add the origin point anywhere on the page.

The object will rotate around the new origin point when you click and drag the Rotate Object marquee handle.

To remove the XY origin tool, follow the same process to deselect it in the Maths Tools menu.

Dice Roller

The Dice Roller tool built into the ActivInspire software is the perfect way to randomize countless elements within the classroom.

To access the Dice Roller, either use the Tools icon from your toolbox, or go to Tools, Maths Tools, and select Dice Roller.

Tools icon

When the Dice Roller menu appears, you can drag the window to reposition it.

Select how many dice you would like to roll. You can choose up to 5. Select the speed of the roll using the slider.

Select Roll to roll the dice.

Output to Flipchart will add the dice total to your current flipchart page. To close the Dice Roller, click the X.

Calculator

The calculator tool built into the ActivInspire software allows you to create robust lessons and facilitate authentic maths experiences in the classroom.

To access the calculator, select the Tools icon from your toolbox, or go to Tools, and select Maths Tools. Choose Calculator.

Tools icon

Drag the calculator to reposition it anywhere on the page.

As you enter an operation, it appears in the top window.

Hold and drag the operation onto the flipchart page. You may then manipulate it like any other object.

To close the Calculator, click the X.

The clock and timer tools built into ActivInspire help you gauge time for students’

activities, assessments, and more.

To use the Clock tool, select the Tools icon from your toolbox, then More Tools, and

Clock. Or go to Tools, More Tools, and Clock.

Tools icon

Choose to display analog clock, digital clock, or both.

Resize the clock using the sizing handles.

Select the ‘Count Down’ or ‘Count Up’ options to access the timer.

You may enter the amount of time, add a sound to play upon timeout, and even add an action. Once you have made your selections, click OK.

Use the pause icon on the toolbar to pause the timer and click again to resume.

Close at any time by clicking the X.

DESKTOP ANNOTATE

The Desktop Annotate tool built into the ActivInspire software provides you seamless interaction with existing resources, websites and more.

The option to access Desktop Annotate may appear on your Dashboard upon opening ActivInspire.

You can also access Desktop Annotate from your main toolbox.

Desktop Annotate icon

Once you launch Desktop Annotate, ActivInspire automatically minimizes, leaving just your Page Browser, main toolbox, and trash can. Feel free to move or close your Page Browser or trash can for more space. Keep your Main Toolbox open to access annotation tools.

Even while annotating, you are still free to interact with the resource. For instance, scroll or click within a website.

Annotations will stay in place, but you may use the Eraser tool or Clear tool to remove them.

Exit Desktop Annotate mode any time by clicking the icon on your main toolbox.

DRAG A COPY

Drag a Copy replicates any object on your flipchart and is a quick way to make engaging activities for your students.

To apply Drag a Copy, you can be in either Presentation or Design Mode. Simply right-click on an object and select Drag a Copy from the menu.

To verify it has been applied, go to Presentation Mode. You will see a tiny hand with a green plus sign. Now as you drag on the object, a new one will appear, and you may move it anywhere on your flipchart.

To remove Drag a Copy, right-click the original object again, and deselect.

MAGIC INK

Magic Ink allows you to reveal concealed images and can add an extra level of excitement and engagement to your lesson.

Magic Ink works because ActivInspire flipcharts are created in layers. The Magic Ink tool simply works as an eraser on the very top-most layer, where you typically find annotations.

To create the effect of Magic Ink, go to your Object Browser. This allows to see and change the current layers within your flipchart.

Images typically reside in the middle layer. Bring the concealing image or object that you wish to erase to the top layer by dragging and dropping.

Now you may use Magic Ink, located under Tools.

Magic Ink icon

REVEALER TOOL

The Revealer tool built into the ActivInspire software is a great way to focus students’

attention and easily chunk information in your lessons.

To access the Revealer, select the Tools icon from your toolbox, or go to Tools, then

Revealer.

Tools icon

Reveal hidden objects by clicking and dragging the blind from the top, bottom, right, or left. Simply look for the cursor.

Select the Revealer menu to either save the revealer’s position on your flipchart page

or close the tool altogether.

SPOTLIGHT TOOL

The Spotlight tool built into the ActivInspire software is a great way to focus students’

attention and easily chunk information in your lessons.

To access the Spotlight, select the Tools icon from your toolbox, or go to Tools, then

Spotlight.

Tools icon There are several options to choose from.

Look for the X icon to move the Spotlight by dragging anywhere in the masked area.

Use the sizing handles along the Spotlight’s edge to resize the area or modify the Spotlight’s shape.

Access the Spotlight menu at any time to change the style or take a snapshot of the highlighted area.

Use the menu to close the Spotlight.