How to Create Promethean Flip Charts

Promethean boards provide a digital blackboard for you classroom.

Promethean boards combine the creative space of a blackboard with the digital capabilities of a computer. Many modern classrooms come equipped with a Promethean board that teachers use to enhance their lessons. Flip charts are a popular item used with Promethean boards, because they allow teachers to prepare a digital presentation that they can interact with during class. While there are many flip chart lessons available, you can create your own flip chart for your classroom. Make sure you've installed the Activinspire software before designing your flip chart.

Things You'll Need

• Activinspire software
• Promethean board
• Computer

Instructions

1. Open the Inspire program on your computer by finding the application title and double-clicking on it. Your version of Inspire may be located in sub-folders, depending on where you installed and saved it.

2. Select "Create a new flipchart" from the Inspire dashboard. The dashboard should display automatically at the program's start-up. If you do not see the dashboard or have turned off the dashboard's auto-run at start-up feature, select "New flipchart" from the file menu.

3. Create a background for your first page. Click on "Page Background" from your "Edit" menu. A "Set Background" dialogue box will appear with a number of options to use for your background.

4. Select the option you want and click "OK' to set it as your page background. You can use either a color fill, an image, a screenshot or a desktop overlay for your background. Screenshots allow you to create a still image of your computer screen to use in your flip chart, such as a particular Web page or word processing file. A desktop overlay allows you to project your desktop and interact with it on your flip chart, such as by clicking icons or opening programs.

5. Enter text into your flip chart page. Type directly onto the flip chart by selecting the "T" tool for text. Click and drag anywhere on the flip chart page to create a text box and enter your desired text.

6. Add shapes or pictures to enhance your flip chart page. Select the "image" tool from the tool bar to insert a previously saved image. You can create your own images with the "pen" tool. The "pen" tool allows you to select a color and point size and draw freehand on your flip chart screen.

7. Create a new page to enter more information. The "previous page" and "next page" buttons on the toolbar allow you to move to different pages within your flip chart. However, since you do not have multiple pages in your flip chart yet, simply click on the "next page" button to create a new page.

8. Save your flip chart. Click on "Save" from the file menu. You can save your flip chart as a .flipchart file to allow future modifications through Inspire, or you can save it as a PDF file to make the flip chart read-only. Provide an appropriate file name and desired file extension for your flip chart and click "OK" to save it.

References

• University of Wisconsin: Interactive White Boards (Promethean): Basic Tools
• SchoolTube: Promethean Board Set Up Flipchart

Resources

• Federal Way Public Schools: Promethean Training Materials