Top 3 bits of tech - part 1: IWB software

A friend and colleague just contacted me with a conundrum. She is looking to expand her toolbox of technological skills and has time over the summer to teach herself to use some applications. Her question is, given the chance what three applications (beyond basic office) should she teach herself to use?

I'll confess my first response was "ask me after ISTE!" as I am sure I will come back from that with 100 great ideas and fully intend to blog my way around the conference to my hearts content. However, for now let me give my initial thoughts.

1 - Master an interactive whiteboard (IWB) software.
All of these essentially work like powerpoint, and if you are familiar with powerpoint prepare to be frustrated as they are no-way as nice and intuitive. But they have built in a range of fantastic interactive features that fantastic.

If you've not been convinced by the research showing how cool these are for kids learning, I will not attempt to make the case right now. Instead I will throw this idea into the mix: These are an incredibly simple way to impress kids with some tech skills. Because unless they've gone out and looked into IWB technology they genuinely will not be sure how you do some of the things you do. Having the students believe you're even close to their own technological world is a great step towards earning their respect.

But which to choose?
There are two bits of software that seem to be competing for the crown right now, and it doesn't really matter what type of smartboard you have. You should try both and decide which one you prefer. For both of them there are vast amounts of resources already created free to download.

Smart tech's "smartnotebook" is the first option. It is a widely used system, but for my mind a bit awkward to use with several niggling annoyances (like difficulty resizing animated objects, etc.) To download you will need to code from a smartboard you will be using at some time (even if it is a colleagues that you use occasionally) Obviously contact your friendly neighborhood tech-coordinator for that one.

Pros: Massive resources of lessons already out there, not just at their own "smart exchange" but on many other sites. Smart tech got into the interactive whiteboard game first here in the US and they've got a lot of followers.

Cons: Clunky interface that can be infuriating. Can't load activinspire files. Cannot embed videos.

The other option if Promethean's "activinspire." Designed to go with their range of interactive whiteboards. There are many who say this is a far more user friendly system and several teachers I know are switching to this from smart notebook. It still has a great range of interactive objects and doesn't have as many annoying bugs. However, unlike smart notebook which you get for free if you have access to a smartboard, activinspire is available as a free basic version to anyone, but you have to pay for the bells and whistles full version.

Pros: Many available resources, including Promethean's own site "Promethean planet." While they were slow to get moving in the US, Promethean are the leading supplier in the UK and much of Europe, so they have a big following.
The biggest pro of activinspire is it allows you to import Smart-notebook files into it and converts them, effectively doubling the amount of available pre-made lessons and tools.

Cons: You have to pay for the full version. I don't know yet how much stuff you don't get in the free version (I am using the free trial) but I am sure I will weigh that up later.

Online learning.
Whichever software you fall for the internet is filled with ways to learn your way around it. Check out the manufacturers own site, but then look around for the broad range of user submitted guides. You'll just keep finding cool stuff to do with the whiteboard and I promise you'll never look back.