We are using this:
an ActivSlate which acts as a mouse pad but is totally portable and wireless... so we downloaded a calendar file from Lakeshore Learning which is for interactive whiteboards and were able to project it with my LCD projector and then the kiddos could manipulate the things using this slate rather than using the pen on the overhead screen since I don't have an interactive whiteboard!
I'm so pumped about it!
I'd love to hear from anyone else who has one... what do you do with it? How do you use it? Do you love it? Did you pay for it yourself? How much was it? Where did you get it? I think I might like it enough to splurge and just buy my own that way I wouldn't have to worry about anyone wanting to share! :)
I'll try and take a few pics of us using it this week just incase you're totally confused by my rambling explanation!
Hey Christina,
ReplyDeleteI do have one of these bad boys...I hate to admit that I don't even use it :( I can't wait to see some other ideas from you and from other posters.
Randi @ Teach It With Class
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How cool! I taught in a classroom with an ActivBoard once and LOVED it. I prefer the ActivBoard over the SMART Board any day. As for the ActivSlate, it's an awesome tool to have, especially if you have an ActivBoard because it allows the teacher to control the board from anywhere in the room, so you don't have to just stand at the board. You can also help a student who is at the board without going up or you can pass it around for students to use without having to have them take turns coming up to the board. Without an ActivBoard, I'd do exactly what you're doing! I think the Slate would be awesome for skills such as sequencing! Promethean, the makers of ActivBoard, have a wonderful website for flipcharts/interactive files that you can download. Go to http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/resources/ You'll probably have to register to download, but it's totally worth it!
ReplyDeleteKayla
Primary Junction
That is so cool!! I have the interactive white board, but this looks fab!!
ReplyDeleteRebecca
Teaching First
How cool! I have a Smartboard and couldn't imagine teaching without it! I bet your kiddos loved using it!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Stories From Second
I have a Smartboard and Interactive MOBI writers. The MOBIs are pretty much the same thing as an ActivBoard and we have a teacher one and about 5 student ones per classroom. I LOVE THEM! :) I can walk around the room and do calendar with the students with the Lakeshore calendar software. I can also have the students use them to do interactive shared writing, spelling games, and for quick math assessments (for ex. I'll give a question and a couple of students can write their answer without seeing the other couple of students response until it appears onscreen). Enjoy your new techie classroom :) Have a happy rest of your day! :)
ReplyDeleteLisa :)
Made In The Shade In Second Grade
I have a SMARTslate. Since it is a SMART technology item I can access the SMART site. Therefore I use it for. every. thing.!!! I use it just like a SMARTboard without the pen. Mine is projected onto my whiteboard so we use dry erase markers to "write" answers, etc. I use Treasures and if you "google" Treasures workbooks you can find all the worksheets. I use them on the board as a teaching tool during whole group word work and grammar. (I try not to use worksheets as such for reading). Our math series ENVision also can be projected and manuevered with the slate. I use it all day long! I hope you enjoy yours. Since I don't have a SMARTboard I was excited to get the slate and projector.
ReplyDeleteSuper cool! =)
ReplyDeleteJennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
Hi! I have a Smartboard and last year at the FETC conference I won a UWrite. It is like the board you have except I can see my desktop on it which makes it easier for my class to write on it. I use it for math and instead of having the child come to the board, I have them write on the UWrite. Basically I use it for anything that I would use the Smartboard for, but instead of having them walk up to the board they do it on the UWrite. I recently just found an app for the iPad that allows me to use it just like the UWrite. I can be anywhere in my room and write on the Smartboard. The app is called SplashTop. It is also great.
ReplyDeleteApril
wolfelicious.blogspot.com
Hi, I stopped by to check in with your blog... so inspiring (thank you) and also if you are interested I put a linky on my page aimed at sharing the fantasic ideas that we teachers find on PINTEREST (if you are a member of this site?)
ReplyDeleteStop by here if you are interested. Happy Blogging Alissa (Mrs C @ Excuse Me! Mrs C)
I did not understand one word in your post. That is how far behind my school is technologically. I also don't understand any of these comments. I am holding my breath for a document camera (we were told we might get them this year). In the meantime, I use an OVERHEAD. UGH!
ReplyDeleteLUCKY DUCK!!
A Teeny Tiny Teacher
I have one of these and I absolutely love it. Our district bought some and our parent organization bought all the rest of our teachers one. We don't have a very big school so it was reasonable. They are about $350.00 each. I use it with a lot of the games from lakeshore. I also use it to do ABC order and have the kids manipulate the words into ABC order. I use it a lot for writing. I also have it hooked up to my document camera so I can write on top of anything that I have under my document camera. Promethean Planet has a ton of flip charts that you can use for whatever subject you are teaching. Some of them are free and some you have to pay for. I have to say thanks for all the great ideas. I have enjoyed looking at your webpage for a couple of years now.
ReplyDeleteI have been using an inter write pad for about four years. This seems pretty similar. I am going to have to check out the calendar! I basically use it as my whiteboard on myntv screen. It has some virtual manias for all subjects too.
ReplyDeleteI WANT ONE!!! our computer lab has one. I do not think they us it a lot. I am emailing hr right after this to see if i can borrow it. I HATE having to sit at the board...I want to be behind the kids...I LOVE my board. I haven't made too many of my own flipcharts since there are so many good ones for free on P.Planet.
ReplyDeletewe also have the response systems...LOVE those. I can teach for a few, then have the kids pull out their "clickers" and ask questions...and not even have made a flipchart...we call it "on the fly" .
I have one and have to say I haven't used mine as much as I should. But, I have some new ideas after reading all these posts!
ReplyDeleteThe biggest problem I guess I saw was it took the kids FOREVER to write with it because they have to look at the board and writer...kind of different than writing on paper!
OK, so i borrowed the slate...and i LOVE it. Since my lab tech. barely uses it, its in my room for awhile!!! YEA!
ReplyDeleteSuch a difference sitting NEXT to or BEHIND my kids....they love it too!!!