At this week’s National Education Computing Conference (NECC) conference, Promethean has released ACTIVprimary, a curriculum software program designed for use with ACTIVboard interactive whiteboards in primary-age classrooms. The whiteboards are Mac and Windows compatible.
The Promethean whiteboard system includes ACTIVstudio software tools and resources for teachers as well as the ACTIVboard interactive whiteboard system and wireless student interaction peripherals, the ACTIVslate and ACTIVote. The system offers handwriting recognition where users can write on the ACTIVboard with a pen and the writing turns automatically to editable text.
The Promethean ACTIVboard uses electronic electromagnetic sensing technology and incorporates a cordless, battery-free pen designed to enable “natural delivery” of large screen multi-media lesson content. The projected image sits on ACTIVboard’s special low glare surface. All the software for the whiteboard is compatible with Mac OS X and Mac OS 9.x.
The new ACTIVprimary program was designed with two tool areas: a teacher-controlled administrative section at the top of the ACTIVboard (where young children can’t reach); and a pupil interface at the bottom (where they can reach). The student interface includes buttons for colors, lines, shapes and text, as well as resource banks for background and multimedia selection.
The software contains two usage modes for teachers. The Design Mode allows for the creation and editing of lesson materials or activities before class begins. The Presentation Mode protects the previously created material from being accidentally ruined and ensures successful interactive sessions. For pricing on the ACTIVboards and the accompanying software, go to the Promethean Web site.