Smart Notebook's Ink Layer

If you are used to working with Smart Notebook, you either love or hate the ink layer. For some, it was a great way to write on top anything on your computer. For others, it was the annoying thing that popped up at the worst possible time. But as you might gather from my verb tense, the ink layer is no more!

This issue has been one of the biggest questions we've fielded so far this year. As you can imagine, we only hear from those who really like it. So per popular request, our man Ken put together an awesome resource to guide you through several ways you can write on all your documents, get all your teaching done, and not miss the ink layer ever again. Check it out:

Four options for writing on documents using the Smart Board

Installing popular software

There's an easy way to install your favorite software on your CPS computers. It's called the Microsoft System Center 2012 and it's located in your "Start Menu". Go to the "Start Menu" and scroll for the folder called "Microsoft System Center 2012". Click on "Configuration Manager" and then "Software Center". A new window will open up and show you what software is available to download

Currently, there is Inkscape, Scratch, Google Earth, Sketchup, and Smart Response available for download. New programs are on the list to be added. And the best news is that you can request for software to be added to the software center. Just email your friendly instructional technology specialist or talk to your media specialist about your request. It's a great way to add large software to a lab of computers. 

Easy web-browsing for students: Symbaloo

I was informed about this great web 2.0 tool from a kindergarten teacher (let's call her Ms. R) this week and I have share it with you. It's called Symbaloo and it's something you have to check out. 

The premise is simple but awesome: users create "web mixes" of sites they want students to access. But wait! My Diigo account does the same thing. Why change? Because Symbaloo lets you assemble boards of sites that include icons and allow you to color-code them. Check out my example: 

Ms. R uses it so effectively. She codes all her sites by category and color. So when her kindergarten students get to the board, they know exactly what sites to visit because they can either find the icon or go to the color that Ms. R instructed them to visit. Simple. And you can make your boards public and link them to your teacher site so students and parents can access  it from anywhere.

What a great alternative to the traditional "helpful links" page! Have fun creating your boards! 

Get your CPS email on your mobile device

It's finally here!! All last year, everyone wanted to get their school email on their mobile device. And why not? We need to be connected. With the switch to Outlook this summer, all CPS teachers and staff are now able to install email through the mail client on any mobile device. Here are links to some great directions written up by our Applications Specialists:

Device instructions:
iPhone
iPad
Android