SMART Notebook: A Few Tips and Tricks

This morning, I gave you all a refresher on the SMART Board and Notebook software. I'm posting a couple of those tips here, so you can refer back.

Many of you are interested in ways to reduce the amount of paper you are using, especially with Green Week approaching. With SMART Notebook, it's easy to import files, so kids can complete assignments or work problems right inside Notebook. TAKS is right around the corner, so you may be interested in giving the kids a benchmark, to gauge their strong and weak points. I will use that as an example as I show you how to import a released TAKS test into Notebook, for the kids to work through and highlight. You could even use this in combination with a Google Form as an answer sheet, so they could submit the results to you in spreadsheet form.

1. Open the file you would like to import into Notebook. I will use a pdf of a released TAKS test, but you could use any file.
   


2. Act as though you are going to print the file. Either click on the printer icon, or go to File>Print. The print window should open.



3. Select SMART Notebook Print Capture as the printer from the drop-down menu.



4. Choose which pages you would like to "print."



5. Click on the Advanced tab at the bottom of the window.



6. Make sure Print as Image is selected. Otherwise, your pages could be a little fuzzy.


7. Click OK to continue, as you normally would when you are printing.



8. Your file will now be imported into a SMART Notebook file.

Your learners can now highlight, type, write, or whatever they need to do on top of the file. If you would like them to turn this in, have them go to File>Export>PDF to save it as a pdf file, which will include all of their annotations.

Another topic I mentioned was a new web-based version of Notebook software called Notebook Express. It is currently in beta release, but it is available to everyone. You can view SMART Notebook files via the web. You can create new files from this interface, although keep in mind that it is limited in functionality. Check it out!

Also check out some of the ready-to-use Notebook files in the SMART Exchange. There could be something you could use for a workshop or modify for your own purposes.

Don't forget that we all have licenses for the new SMART Notebook Math Tools. If you would like to install them, send me an email, and I can get you the activation code.

These are just a couple of new tidbits of info for you, but I am full of information on how to use SMART Notebook with your learners. This would be an excellent addition to their presentation resources. Imagine how awesome presentations would be if the learners made them interactive or if they integrated the Notebook software more often in project development. I would LOVE to teach a workshop to your classes. Send me an email, and let's schedule it!

Expand the Lines of Communication with Learners and Parents

I'm sure you've all heard learners or parents mention how they never saw the email you sent out.  I hear it all the time from the learners.  I'm always looking for other ways to communicate with our learners, to make sure they hear the super amazing, awesome, important message I'm sending them.  ;o)

With DialMyCalls, I can record a message for a group of people, and the service will automatically call each person's phone number and play the message for them.  I can even choose to have the service email the message to the users, as well.  How easy is that?!

You could send out assignment reminders, information on projects, or just a friendly message to let them know you're thinking about them.

How much will this cost, you ask?  Well, they actually have a free account that's not too shabby.  You can send one call a day that is thirty seconds or less, to up to 25 people.  If you're one of those types who doesn't want to be restricted, you can purchase call credits for pretty cheap.  With the credits, you can really pester people by sending as many calls as you want per day, rambling on as long as you want, and sending the call to as many people as you want. 

Below is a summary of some of the other features listed on their website:

• Record Your Own Voice Messages Easily: With our 3 easy to use tools, you can create your own custom message in a couple of minutes. Offering your callers this personalized touch is something they are sure to appreciate.
• You Control The Caller ID Settings: You are able to have your own home, cell phone, or business phone number appear on the call recipients' Caller ID. This feature is available on both the free and premium services.
• Voice Mail Detection: We are able to detect 99% of all answering machines & voice mail services. If your call ends up reaching an automated answering system, our system will know to wait and leave your message in its entirety.  
• Detailed Call Reports: With every call you send, you will have access to a detailed call report with the results of every individual call. From there you are able to tell whether the call was answered live, went to voicemail, had an error, and many other specific call details.

If you're looking for news ways to communicate, try out DialMyCalls.  Your parents and learners may just appreciate the extra reminders.