AT Tools to try in 2015 - ActiveInspire part 2

Tools to try in 2015: ActiveInspire

Tool: Hidden Action

Why: Using the hidden action allows teachers to draw student’s attention to a particular area on a flipchart page. Students tend to be more engaged when anticipating if text or an image is going to appear or disappear on a page.

Favourite Use: Chunking information for students when assigning their learning task so as not to overwhelm the learners

Video: http://youtu.be/sgeoUaq4b0I?list=PLgJQCBtlfe8Lc7QTVGpV7x78YXs9COnL-

Tool: Linking Videos - YouTube

Why: Linking videos into ActivInspire can provide an excellent “hook” to begin lessons, provide concrete examples and increase student engagement through multi-modal learning

Favourite Use: I love linking brief YouTube videos into ActivInspire as a reinforcer and/or to motivate students with special needs to complete an assigned task. These videos can reflect a student’s special interest area and promote their engagement in order to achieve task completion

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yv_hz78H8k&list=PLgJQCBtlfe8Lc7QTVGpV7x78YXs9COnL-&index=32

Tool: Grid Designer

Why: Using the grid designer allows students to easily visualize grids and graphs to support Mathematical concepts. The grid designer also allows teachers to organize content on the page.

Favourite Use: Visualizing math measurement concepts such as perimeter and area using virtual manipulatives allows students to explore and build their understanding easily, independently and cooperatively on the board. Bar and other graphs are more meaningful as students create and can make modification and corrections easily.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu0ocTKZSnM&list=UUJaW1T3RMZCYBOh9m86L5Hg

Coming Soon ~ Fall Key to Learn Sessions

The SEA Department is excited to again offer Assistive Technology software training for all TDSB Board employees. Make sure you watch for DirectLine postings or visit 

Key to Learn directly to find dates, times and locations for these sessions.

  Fall sessions being offered:
Microsoft OneNote This hands-on workshop will explore the basic uses of Microsoft OneNote to support Intermediate and Secondary students. OneNote is an electronic version of a traditional 3 ringed binder in which students can tag, collect, organize and share their work electronically.

  Dragon Naturally Speaking Version 11 Dragon Naturally Speaking Version 11 Professional is a speech recognition software. In this hands-on workshop you will learn how to create a user (voice) file. Tips for training and improving your accuracy as well as importing and exporting user (voice) files will also be covered

  Read and Write Gold 11 Beginners Read and Write Gold is an all-in-one Assistive Technology program that is used in conjunction with another application. The hands on workshop will focus on the basic features needed to use Read and Write Gold. Participants will learn how to use various features to support their students in the following areas: Reading (text documents, scanned documents, internet and dictionaries, Writing: (word prediction, homonyms, self-editing and talking spell check) and Research (reading the internet)

  Read and Write Gold 11 Advanced Read and Write Gold is an all-in-one Assistive Technology program that is used in conjunction with another application. The hands on workshop will focus on using or expanding on additional features of Read and Write Gold not covered in the original session. Some of these features include the Speech Maker, Screen Masking, and Scanning.

  Smart Ideas – Concept Mapping This hands-on workshop will focus on the use of this concept mapping software. Smart Ideas can be used for a variety of purposes including mapping out new concepts or vocabulary, organizing a research project and planning written assignments.

  Promethean for Beginners This hands-on workshop will introduce users to the Promethean interactive whiteboard system and ActivInspire software. User will learn the basics of setting up their own flipcharts, where to find additional resources and how the system can become an integral part of everyday teaching.

   Promethean Next Steps This hands-on workshop will explore additional features of ActivInspire to enable users to create and customize their own flipcharts to meet the needs of their students.

  Promethean ActivExpression This hands-on workshop will support Promethean ActivExpression handheld devices using Promethean's ActivInspire software and ActivHub device. Participants will learn how to register and assign devices and how to use the express poll and question manager.

  Promethean Document Camera: ActiView This hands-on training session will focus on tools and options available when used with Promethean's ActivInspire software.

  Promethean ActivSound This hands-on workshop will introduce users to the Promethean ActivSound System that was part of some IWB SEA Claims. User will learn how to connect and use the sound system to support the curriculum in their classroom.