Quick post today…
I’ve been researching interactive classroom technology (ICT) for close to a year now. Ever since I got my Activboard, I am convinced that any teacher working with our most common special needs students on the dissociative and hyperactive spectrum MUST be enabled to best reach their students using technology.
On that note, two things:
1. Big thanks to the following fellow blogger-teachers who helped guide my research:
2. I am learning that hardware is not so important – SOFTWARE is. I’ve downloaded or purchased every curriculum software app designed for IWBs that I can find. So far, the best product with flying colors is Promethean’s Activstudio (for the older kids) and Activprimary (younguns K-3).
I keep hearing rumors that Promethean is about to launch a major upgrade – possibly even a new app entirely that integrates Studio with Primary and something else called Activexpression. I also understand that they are hand-picking users to test and comment on the new software. I WANT TO BE ONE OF THOSE “USERS”!
So I am blogging about this in hopes to get their attention. Please comment if you know of anything:).
Here is a great video from an event somewhere that I found:
“Principal Dr. Diana Strohecker and Teachers Katie King and Emily Minnigerode share AASD’s best practices for Activclassroom technology in special needs learning environments.”
Tags: Activboard, Activprimary, Activstudio, Autism and ICT, Special Needs Activclassroom
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November 20, 2008 at 4:10 pm
It is called “Activsoftware Inspire” and from what I understand it is a new launch that is heavy on user interface customization (you create the buttons, colors, flow of your own software). I think it combines several of their existing apps like you describe and from what I understand, it may be the heralded “multiple input” upgrade that Promethean users have been waiting for. I do know one thing for certain: it will be available for download off their website and publicly unveiled at the FETC.org tradeshow. Hope that helps.
November 20, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Hey MM, check out this: http://nolimitstolearning.blogspot.com/2008/10/promethean-board-and-activstudio-have.html.
I suggest you contact the author to ask about reviewing the new software.
November 20, 2008 at 5:58 pm
[...] November 20, 2008 at 5:58 pm (Uncategorized) (Activboard, promethean, sharon Campbell, special needs, teaching) Even with the current state of the economy/world you can still find people doing exciting and very rewarding work. I was surfing the internet and came across this: Mizz Monica’s Stumbling Blog [...]
November 20, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Great stuff Monica. Let us know if you get contacted by Promethean as I want some of that cake as well. You might want to check out this article on Sharon Campbell on Edutopia: http://www.edutopia.org/energy-efficient-art-classroom
May give you some ideas