SMART: Downloading and Using Resources

SMART users, I told you I would have some things for you!

I'm finally figuring out this SMART notebook software. The cool thing is, I'm finding it is a lot like ActivInspire for Promethean. That means, easy for me to learn and easy for you to flip back and forth between the two as well. I have checked, and you are able to use ActivInspire on your SMART board. So if you find a better resource on Promethean Planet or like something better in ActivInspire, you can use it.

Just pull up your SMART tools and choose the arrow. Then pull up ActivInspire and you can use all the tools with your fingertips. (You may need to calibrate it first)

You probably want to get into your Notebook software and make your own charts. You can get some awesome resources from the picture browser or from http://exchange.smarttech.com.

If you do not have a SMART Exchange account, now is a good time to register. It is free, and just like Promethean Planet, is a wealth of resources for your SMART board. You can search for Notebook lessons by subject, grades, or file types. To find resources to make your own Notebook lessons, search by File Type.

You can choose images, videos, manipulatives, and other types of files. I recommend browsing through them. You never know what you are going to find! When you find something you like, click Download. 

To get to the resources you have downloaded, open up Notebook. On the right side you will see four icons. Click on the one that looks like a picture. (I have noted that this toolbar is moveable to the other side. If yours is not on the right, it will be on the left.)

Your resources will in folders. Click through the folders to find your resources. You can also search for them in the search box at the top. Your resources will appear under the folders by type (pictures, interactive, etc.) To put it in your notebook, double click or drag the item to the notebook.

Voila! You've got some neat resources to amp up your notebooks. You might even get inspired for a lesson just by browsing through these resources.

Don't forget, the SMART exchange has tons of free Notebook lessons and other types of files to use to make your lessons interactive. I am wowed by some of the things you can do.