Teachers Love SMART Boards

SMART Notebook Challenge #11 - Random Number

This week's Notebook challenge is to create your own custom random number generator.

To complete this challenge, you will have to use one item found in your Gallery. Your random number generator can generate random numbers using any range of numbers. My example gives random numbers between 1 and 36.

The purpose of this challenge is to encourage you to modify existing objects in your Gallery to make them look and work exactly the way you want. Remember, you're in control; if you don't like something, change it so it suits your needs!

Here's a video that demonstrates how my random number generator looks and functions:

If you're having problems viewing this video, you can watch it on YouTube.

(The solution for challenge 10 will be posted soon!)

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SMARTBoards and the Voyage of the Mayflower

Want some more U.S. Thanksgiving Resources?

Here's another custom word search riddle for your SMART Board interactive whiteboard created in Notebook 10. This word search riddle supports The First Thanksgiving website from Scholastic.com. You can click on the picture to download the file.

If you're looking for additional resources for the holiday, you can check out my U.S. Thanksgiving Holiday Resource page that includes a new link to a fantastic Thanksgiving resource page created by Amy Oberts!

Gobble, gobble.

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SMARTBoards and the Double-Trouble Feedback Challenge

Here's a great little challenge that shouldn't take too much of your time but is sure to make your Notebook applications twice as fun!

The challenge is called Double-Trouble Feedback and the objective is to create an activity that uses both sound and animation to provide student feedback when an object is touched. I'll be looking for some really great feedback sounds!

Here's an example of the double-trouble feedback:

If you're looking for some sounds to use, I have a few you can download. These sounds were downloaded from the website SoundSnap.com. They are all mp3 files and should work great in your Notebook application.

Download He-s a chirpy little fellow- isn-t he
Download If that-s all you can do then that-s all you can do
Download That doesnt apply here
Download The best baby -froggy throat
Download What a shot- what a goal
Download Whoa- i didn-t think you had that in ya

It would be wonderful if you could include some fun sound files (mp3 format only) to share with others.

Please send your challenge entries to me using this email address.

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SMARTBoards and Solutions for Evenly Spacing Objects

This is the solution for Challenge #9: Precise Object Spacing. This was definitely a fun challenge and I received some outstanding submissions for completing it.

Ann White is this week's extreme challenge winner and she definitely deserves the title "Faster than the Master" (or at least, as fast as the master) for completing the challenge in approximately 19 seconds.

I had two techniques that I used to complete this challenge. The first one was very similar to Ann's technique. It used a spacer object and the alignment guides to evenly space objects on a page. Ann improved on my idea in the sense that she used a rectangle instead of a line as her spacer object. Another submission cloned one of the smiley faces, resized it and used it as the spacer object. Ingenious!

Here's Ann's submission video.

My second technique used an spacer object that I created and placed inside the Gallery. The object consisted of 6 evenly sized rectangles that were grouped together. My technique was to drag the object to the work area, expand it according to how much space I wanted in between my objects, ungroup it back into six rectangles and then use the alignment guides to set my objects on the page. Using this technique, I was also able to evenly space my objects in approximately 19 seconds.

Here's a video of using a spacer object consisting of rectangles

I think the best and easiest technique is the one Ann uses.

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SMARTBoards and Student Feedback Using Flashing Text

 

If you touch me, do I not flash?

Be one of the very first to take my new and exciting Notebook 10 course called "Providing Student Feedback Using Flashing Text."

I am providing free enrollment to the course for the first 20 people who fill out a TrainingYES request.

Here is more information about the course:

Notebook Technique - Student Feedback Using Animation

This short-course will guide the participant through the process of using object animation to make text objects flash when they are touched on the SMART Board. In addition to learning how to apply the animation property to objects, participants will practice/learn how to duplicate objects, change text color, and make minute adjustments to objects using the keyboard.

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Exciting News!

Your school can now access my courseware on their very own Personalized Learning Management System branded with your school's information.

This is by far the most effective and affordable (and fun) way to receive SMART Board related professional development. For more information about the system including how your school/district can receive a free two-week trial, send me an email right away.

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SMARTBoards and Another Thanksgiving Word Search Riddle

 

Do you know the name of the Indian Tribe that celebrated the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims back in 1621?

You can find the answer in my latest U.S. Thanksgiving Holiday word search riddle created in Notebook version 10.

I created this word search riddle to be used as an introductory or follow-up activity for The First Thanksgiving website from Scholastic.com.

You can find additional U.S. Thanksgiving resources for your SMART Board on the SMARTBoard and U.S. Thanksgiving Holiday Resource Page.

If you know of any other U.S. Thanksgiving resources that work great on the SMARTBoard, please send them to me so I can share them with others.

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SMARTBoards and Placing the U.S. States is a Capital Idea

One of the things I do on this site is pass along great interactive websites when I find them. Lately, I've been getting some great suggestions from the Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom group on Diigo.

Caroline O'Bannon passed along two outstanding websites for learning and practicing U.S. geography.

The first site is called State Capitals and it allows you to practice identifying the U.S. capitals using a highly engaging interactive site.

The second site is called Place the State and it challenges students to drag and drop states to the correct location on a map of the United States. It even calculates how far off you are.

The Place the States site comes from Sheppard Software and is just one of many great flash applications. This is one of those sites you'll have to bookmark and explore on your own since it has way too many great activities to list here. It appears all the activities work great on your SMART Board interactive whiteboard.

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SMARTBoards and the "Picture This" Challenge Solution

Here is the solution for Challenge #8 - Picture This.

The response to this challenge was incredible and many of the people who submitted entries mentioned how much fun they had and how amazed they were when they figured out how to complete it.

The objective of this challenge was to transform a Notebook page containing a picture and an object (top image) using only the items in the toolbar. The image of the girl needed to be placed behind the desk and eating the apple that used to be on the table. The chalk is moved from the chalkboard and placed in the teacher's hair and the words "I love SMARTBoards" are written on the blackboard (bottom image).

This challenge was initially created to help teachers understand object layering although I would imagine that many teachers are much more adept at using the screen capture tool and the "set picture transparency" option.

The Gold Medal winner for Challenge #8 is Jennifer Gibson and the Silver Medal winner is Stu Smith.

Here's the solution video:

If you're having problems viewing this video, you can watch it on YouTube.

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SMART Notebook Challenge #9 - Precise Object Spacing

For those of you who find my challenges a little too easy, I have an extreme challenge for you called "Precise Object Spacing." Don't worry, you don't need any special Notebook skills or knowledge to complete this challenge, you just need to be a little creative.

To take part in this challenge, you will need to download the challenge #9 Notebook file. If you can complete the challenge, then write a brief description for how you completed it and send back the Notebook file with your completed solution and a description for how you did it.

This challenge also has an Extreme Challenge portion called "Faster than the Master." If you decide you want to compete in the Extreme Challenge portion, then you'll have to send a video to prove you did the challenge and that you were faster than the master.

Here's a video with more detail:

The first person to submit a video that demonstrates a technique for spacing objects precisely and can beat my best time will receive the first ever Faster than the Master award.

The challenge Notebook file has further instructions.

SMARTBoards and the Thanksgiving Resource Library

 

I love the Thanksgiving Holiday because it reminds me to be thankful for all the wonderful things in my life. That being said, I can only say "thank you" to all my wonderful readers who find value in my blog and use it to help children learn.

I created a special Thanksgiving Holiday (U.S.) page full of resources that work great on a SMARTBoard interactive whiteboard. Right now, it only contains a few resources that I shared from last year but I would love to build up this library over the next few weeks and I can really use your help!

Please email me your favorite U.S. Thanksgiving Holiday resource so I can share it with all the readers on my blog. Since most of the resources I find are passed along to me from other educators this should be the best way to build a great holiday library of resources. Please make sure the resources you send are easy to use on the SMARTBoard (avoid any keyboard input), age-appropriate, and interactive. Also, please avoid any sites that contain too many advertisements. Lastly, before sending me your resource, please check the Thanksgiving Holiday page and make sure it is not already listed. If I include your resource in my library, I will send you a free enrollment key for one of my self-paced Notebook courses as a way of saying thank you!

I will also continue to search for Thanksgiving resources and include them on my Thanksgiving Holiday page. I've already created my first Thanksgiving Word Search Riddle using Notebook (version 10) and I will continue to create others and we get closer to November 27th.

I offer schools live, online training in how to create your own word search riddles in Smart Notebook 10 so please fill out a training request form if you think your school would be interested!

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SMARTBoards and Getting Around (Solution for Challenge #7)

Sorry for the delay, but here is the solution for Challenge #7 - Getting Around.

The challenge was to create navigation buttons on each page of your Notebook file that allowed you to go to any other page in your file to make using the application easier on the SMARTBoard.

The Gold Medal winner for Challenge # 7 is Sherri Fricker and the Silver Medal winner is Tejinder Kaur. Sherri created a wonderful math game that used navigation buttons to get to the various pages and Tejinder created an animal classification review for reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Take a look at the solution video and watch how this technique was used on some actual Notebook applications.

I received some amazing submissions for this challenge. I have chosen three winners for the Best Classroom Application award but I could have easily chosen seven or eight. I'll describe each application and why I chose it.

Lori Reed submitted a book review application for Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen. She did a great job with the navigation and she also demonstrates a few of the built-in flash objects.

Ann White created a simple but extremely effective way to teach and review Mean, Median, and Mode. Here navigation was great and she used animation from other challenges!

Gerald Logan created a simple application about spider body parts. His method of using blue dots for navigation is very creative.

Lastly, here is Bernard's Notebook file that demonstrates a wonderful navigation template that uses images he got from the Build Your Wild Self website. The application is in Dutch but I think you'll be able to figure out how it works. Here is Bernard's description of the application:

I created a table and a laptop computer. Than created some students (on buildyourselfwild.com), used picture transparency to get rid of the background, and build my own classroom (a little tricky was the layering showing everything on it's place). To save some memory I made the class a background. Than I created 11 question pages and 11 answer pages. And linked them together (to meet the challenge requirements).

I had some problems to find a linkable place for the students (because they are in the background). I ended up making a square, almost transparent in a orange color to click on. If you watch closely you will see it (but on the board it's almost invisible). On the question (vraag) page you should click on the white balloon (not the text, although I could change that eventually).

Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry to this very important challenge. Your efforts in providing students with engaging learning activities continues to amaze and motivate me!

If you're having problems viewing this video, you can watch it on YouTube.

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SMARTBoards and Real Change You Can Use

A big thanks goes out to Anne Marie over at Talking SMARTBoards & Much More who found a great site called Cash Out that helps kids count money to make change. This application works great on the SMARTBoard since the kids can simply touch on the pictures to make change. I also like that it has a real word problem that needs to be solved.

Unfortunately, most of the interactive money games are poorly designed or require you to enter in numbers with your keyboard. My favorite money counter game called Discovering Coin Values at ToonUniversity is now reported by Google to be a risky site. I sent an email to the people at ToonUniversity to get more information.

Another fun site to help kids count money is called The Piggy Bank. This game works great on the SMART Board and requires a little more speed in counting money. It's kind of addictive so be careful.

Please share any other good money sites!

UPDATE: Kara submitted the Making Change game from Just Kids Games. I like this as much or better than Cash Out. Thanks Kara!

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SMARTBoards and the "Picture This" challenge

This week's Notebook challenge is called "Picture This." To successfully complete this challenge, you will need to modify an image using just the tools found in your toolbar.

Here's the video describing this week's challenge:

The challenge ends at Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 8:00 P.M. CST. You may submit files to me at jim@teacherslovesmartboards.com. If you need a hint, just send me an email.

If you're having problems viewing this video, you can watch it on YouTube.

All successful entries will receive a free enrollment key to my next Smart Notebook self-paced training course.

(Challenge #7 results will be posted soon)

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SMARTBoards and YouR WiLD SeLF

One of my readers, Bernard, created an amazing Notebook application for his SMARTBoard using images he created on the site BuiLD YouR WiLD SeLF.

Since he found an educational use for this fun site, I can safely share it with you now. (I would have shared this with you 15 minutes ago but I was having too much fun building a new wild self.)

The site is extremely easy to use and it even allows you to save your image to your computer. Using the Screen Capture Tool, it is also easy to cut out your image just they way you want it.

Maybe you could have all your students create their own "wild self" and use the images to represent the students in your Notebook applications. Anyway, I'm sure you can find an educational use for this site. If not, you'll at least have a little fun along the way.

Here's what Bernard created using the images from the site:

Bernard then placed hyperlink hotspots over each student that jumped to a different page. The different things you could use this for are endless. I am continually in awe of the creativity of my readers! Great job Bernard!

I'll share Bernard's wonderful Notebook application when I post the solution to the "Getting Around" navigation challenge.

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SMARTBoards and the Big Universe

I review a lot of websites and they really have to be good to make it on my blog. Here's a resource called The Big Universe: Online Children's Books that should be made available in all schools. Not only does it have an amazing collection of books to read online, it allows students to create and share their own books using very powerful authoring software for kids.

This site is a perfect companion for the SMART Board since you can display the books your students are reading, scroll to any page quickly and easily, take notes, capture items into Notebook, etc.  The possibilities are endless.

What makes this site so incredible is the ability for students to create and share their own picture books. If you're looking for ways to get your students more engaged in the writing process, then Big Universe is your answer. Can you imaging sending home a letter to the parents describing how they can view their child's story book on the Internet. You could also use this site as a way for students to meet many of the ISTE NETS for students!

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SMARTBoards and Notebook Training: Revealing Information Using Animation - Series 1

I've just released a new course on my SMART Board Learning Management System called Notebook Techniques: Revealing Information Using Animation - Series 1.

This short-course will guide the participant through the process of using object animation as a way of providing instant feedback during a lesson.

In addition to learning how to apply the animation property to objects, participants will practice/learn how to place an image inside a color rectangle, group objects together, add and modify text object properties, and change the ordering of objects on a page.

This is a self-paced course and requires version 10 of the Smart Notebook software.

Participants receive 60 minutes of Professional Development Credit for completing this course and meeting course requirements.

Come Learn. Come Play. Come Share!

SMARTBoards and the Getting Around Challenge

This week's Notebook challenge is to create a Notebook application that allows you to get to any page in your Notebook file from any other page. This technique can really help make it easy for younger kids to navigate around a multi-page Notebook application.

Here's the video describing this week's challenge:

The challenge ends at Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 8:00 P.M. CST. You may submit files to me at jim@teacherslovesmartboards.com. If you need a hint, just send me an email.

Don't forget that I have a new award category for the Hall of Fame called "Best Classroom Application." I will award this to the entry that demonstrates the best way of using this technique in a classroom application.

If you're having problems viewing this video, you can watch it on YouTube.

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SMARTBoards and How to Create Your Own Spinner

NOTE -THE LATEST VERSIONS OF THE NOTEBOOK SOFTWARE HAVE CHANGED THE WAY THE SPIN ANIMATION FUNCTIONS. AS A RESULT, THE SPINNER DOES NOT STOP IN A RANDOM LOCATION. PLEASE CONTACT JIM AT TEACHERS LOVE SMARTBOARDS FOR INFORMATION ON OTHER TECHNIQUES FOR CHOOSING RANDOM INFORMATION. IF SMART TECHNOLOGIES CHANGES THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE SPINNER BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS, WE WILL POST THAT INFORMATION ON THE BLOG.

I'm excited about posting this week's challenge solution for Creating Your Own Spinner. Not only will I share with you the video tutorial for how to create your own spinner, I will also share two Notebook 10 files that contain various spinners that were submitted in this week's challenge.

That's not all! As promised, I will also share with you an amazing application that uses a customized spinner. It's a Wheel of Fortune game created by Harvey Almarode, an instructor from James Madison University. Click on the picture of the spinner to go to Harvey's amazing website.

The Gold Medal winner for this week's challenge is Kimberly Larkin and the Silver Medal winner is Ann White. Congratulations!

Here is the solution for how to Create Your Own Spinner:

While it is very easy to create your own spinner, I have gathered some spinners and placed them in a single Notebook file. Here is a Spinner LIbrary containing various spinners that were submitted as part of this challenge.

WARNING: Smart Notebook has a bug with the animation. Each time you open the file that contains a spinner, the Repeat setting "until object is clicked" get reset. You will need to apply this animation property before using the spinner.

UPDATE: You can work around this bug by using the Screen Capture Tool to capture a picture of your final spinner and using that object instead of the spinner containing grouped items. Unfortunately, the attributes of the spin animation get lost when you have grouped objects.

Do you want to know Harvey's secret for creating such a cool looking spinner? He set the flash-based spinner in the Gallery to look the way he wanted and then he used the Screen Capture Tool to create an image of the spinner. You will need to color in some of the captured image but it's not difficult. Why not give it a try!?

Want me to share some more?

Okay! Here's a dual action spinner that allows you to select pairs of students. Don't forget, you'll need to reapply the repeat until clicked property.

If you're having problems viewing this video, you can watch it on YouTube.

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