Pre-flight checklist

Working with a flipchart at the board is different from working with it on your computer. Fonts, objects and colours that look great on your computer screen may not work so well on the board.

We recommend that you try your flipchart out on a board before you teach with it in front of an audience. Now is the time to make final changes:

Ask yourself...

Suggestions

 More info...

Are the learning goals clear?

  • State the learning goals at the beginning and revisit them for a vote at the end of the session.

  • Incorporate learning goals into every page:

    • Make them into a tickertape and keep it running throughout the lesson.

    • Place them at the top of each page, perhaps on the bottom layer, or make them restricted, so they can't be moved or deleted accidentally.

Is each flipchart page clearly structured?

If a page looks too cluttered, consider spreading its contents over two pages.

 

Is all text clearly legible?

Ensure that text has a point size of at least 16.

If necessary, change the font, font size or text colours for greater clarity.

First steps with ActivInspire > Adding and formatting text

Is there enough colour contrast?

Consider changing text and object colours for greater contrast and impact.

Working with objects > Changing object properties

If you are using actions, do they work correctly?

Check that actions are enabled and that the correct action has been associated with each object.

Making flipcharts interactive > Working with actions

Do all images display correctly on the board?

You may need to resize them for best effect.

Working with objects > Changing object properties

Do all links work?

If you have added links, make sure that you can access the required areas from the classroom. If you need internet access, make sure you are connected to the network.

Working with objects > Adding and removing links

Are all objects and buttons accessible?

To enable you and your students to work at the board, ensure that anything you or they need to access during the lesson is in the bottom third of the flipchart.

 

Have you chosen a profile for teaching with this flipchart?

You may want to use one of the profiles provided with ActivInspire, or you may want to tailor a profile to your particular lesson or group of learners.

Making profiles work for you

Do you intend to use this flipchart for collaborative working in Dual User mode?

If the answer is "Yes", make sure that the tasks you set your students can be completed with the tools available in the Dual Toolbox.

Working in Dual User mode

Do you need to limit access to any of ActivInspire's functions when students are working at the board?

Consider using Teacher Lock to keep students focussed on current activity.

Using Teacher Lock

 

For expert advice on best teaching practice in the ActivClassroom, check out the Professional Development section on Promethean Planet.