Getting Started Guide
Everyone is willing to help those of us who struggle frequently with making engaging, interactive flipcharts. The genius on this website is ridiculous! Johnna Connors, First Grade Teacher St. Louis, MO, US
WELCOME TO PROMETHEAN PLANET! Welcome to Promethean Planet, a F REE online community for educators in Activclassrooms! Promethean Planet provides educators from around the globe the ability to share innovative lessons, great ideas and best practices. Developed with the insightful input of thousands of elementary and secondary educators currently using the multi-dimensional Activclassroom teaching solution, Promethean Planet offers materials now organized into seven distinct areas: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Home Members Resources News and Events Professional Development Shop Support
This guide will introduce you to each section, and will provide assistance on how you can get the most out of your Planet.
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Home .....................................................................................................................................4 Members...............................................................................................................................6 Resources ............................................................................................................................7 News & Events ....................................................................................................................9 Professional Development ............................................................................................. 10 Shop ................................................................................................................................... 10 Support .............................................................................................................................. 11
Appendix: Resource Search Tips ................................................................................. 12 How to Conduct a Basic Search ............................................................................ 13 How to Conduct an Advanced Search .................................................................. 16 Top 5 Search Tips .................................................................................................... 19 How to Create a Customized Recent Resource Listing .................................... 21 How to Conduct a State Standards Search (US Members).............................. 23 The Preview Window ............................................................................................... 26
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
HOME From the Home page, you can (1) log in to your Planet account, (2) quickly see What’s New on the Planet, (3) access an Overview of the site, (4) go directly to exciting Resources, (5) see highlighted Themes, (6) link to Teacher Feature articles on fellow Planet members, and (7) check out some great Tips & Tricks for creating and using flipchart lessons with your students. Read on to find out more about these areas!
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
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The Login Box Forgot your Planet ID or Password? Click on the (1) Forgot ID or Forgot Password link in the login box and your login details will be sent immediately to your e -mail box. Not yet a member of Promethean Planet? Click on the (2) Register link in the login box. To access the online Getting Started Guide, click on the (3) First time here? link.
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Promethean Planet Overview Video On the Overview tab of the home page, you’ll find a link to the Promethean Planet overview video – a supplement to the Getting Started Guide, which will help you get up and running around the Planet in no time!
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
MEMBERS The Members section allows you to access the online version of the Getting Started Guide, plus other popular areas of the Planet, including: My Account As a Promethean Planet member, you may download all resources and materials posted on the site. Don't have a Planet account? Sign up for free on the My Account page. Once logged in, manage your account, including login and profile information. Keep your profile up to date, and enjoy content tailored specifically to your interests and needs! Forum Need quick advice or feedback? Post a question to the forum and get ready for the responses to pour in! One of the most popular sections on Promethean Planet, the forum is an international message board for Planet members to post questions and ideas for best practices. With tens of thousands of members, someone is always there to give advice or feedback! Blog The Promethean Planet blog is an exciting venture for our community, and we want you to be a part of it! The blog brings ideas, inspiration and information together in one window, allowing you the opportunity to comment and contribute regarding education issues that really matter to you. Teacher Feature Each month we'll feature an outstanding teacher who has developed an exemplary lesson for use in the Activclassroom. Experience how these teachers deliver their lessons, pick up tips for your own classroom, and download their winning flipcharts! If you have not yet shared your lessons on the Planet, start today! You could be the next Teacher Feature!
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
RESOURCES The Resources section offers you thousands of flipchart lessons, resource packs and weblinks for use in your Activclassroom. You can even view a compilation of these resources grouped by theme. Use the Basic Search function to quickly find lessons by keyword, subject area and grade level or key stage, or our powerful Advanced Search engine for even more options! For more details on how to search resources, visit Resource Search 101, or see page 12 of this guide. All resources are available for immediate download to Planet members. Lessons The Lessons area includes thousands of educator-created and submitted Activstudio and Activprimary flipcharts. Searchable by multiple criteria, flipchart lessons are available for immediate download to all registered users. In addition, you can now preview the flipchart lessons before you download, saving you valuable time. Resource Packs Make your flipchart lessons shine by downloading and incorporating resources from some of the great Resource Packs available in this section. Promethean’s Resource Packs will extend your Activstudio or Activprimary resource library with new backgrounds, images and pre-made lesson pages, templates and activities all created just for you! Weblinks There are some incredible websites that will work wonderfully in your Activclassroom, and we’ve found them for you! While some are great for researching specific topics and lesson ideas, others include ready-made, whole-group activities that your students can use right on the Activboard. You’ll find that many work well with Activotes, too! Themes Finding great resources is a snap if you visit the Themes section of Planet. Each theme includes a compilation of flipchart lessons, resource packs, weblinks, videos, and supporting tips and ideas all focused on one main topic or theme . 7
Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
Partner Resources The Planet team works with many exciting and interes ting organizations to bring you free resources for use in your Activclassroom. The Partner Resources section is your central source for content and lesson ideas that have been produced in conjunction with our partners, exclusively for Promethean Planet! Submit a Resource Enjoying the lessons and other resources on Promethean Planet? Feel free to download as many as you wish, and from time to time, go ahead and submit one for the rest of the community to use. Your fellow Planet members sincerely appreciate it! Visit our submissions page to upload your lesson or weblink.
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
NEWS & EVENTS The News & Events section of Promethean Planet encompasses all aspects of news and events related to interactive teaching and learning, including new research and developments, updates on new online resources, product announcements, educational conferences and outstanding teacher accomplishments within the Promethean Planet community. Planet News Want to know the latest developments in interactive teaching and learning from around the world? It’s all here in Planet News! Resource News In the Resource News section, you’ll find ideas and announcements related to new resource packs, weblinks and other resources available to you as a Planet member. Product News For the latest product information, please visit Promethean’s corporate website. Here, you can find press releases or download brochures about the entire suite of Promethean products. Events Discover educational conferences, user groups and other events happening around the world, and in your own region in our Events section.
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Educators of all levels and curriculum areas will find multiple opportunities for improving their skills in the Professional Development section of the site. Discover the latest research and implementation ideas in the Best Practice section, pick up some helpful hints in the Tips & Tricks section, and find out how you can take advantage of one or more of the convenient training options offered by Promethean. Best Practice Find out how other educators are finding success with interactive teaching and learning. In the Best Practice section, you’ll discover how to implement research-related theories into your Activclassroom teaching so you can achieve your outcomes every time. Tips & Tricks In the Tips & Tricks section, you’ll find all kinds of tools to help you improve your skills in working with the Activclassroom. Learn how to build a better flipchart with Flipchart Fundamentals. View or download podcasts of how-to clips in the Activtips section. And pick up some hints from interactive tutorials and our Top Tips Guide. Training Teachers of all grade levels and curriculum areas will find multiple opportunities for training in the Professional Development section of Promethean Planet. The multidimensional program offers educational institutions everything from basic set-up and usage instructions to sophisticated train-the-trainer programs. In the Training section, you will be able to register for face-to-face training, but also access online courses via our exclusive Promethean Learning site.
SHOP Coming in July, the shop will allow Planet members to p urchase Promethean Learning courses, premium Activsoftware resources, and order accessories for your Activclassroom from the convenience of your desktop.
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
SUPPORT Promethean Planet offers extensive Support for all Promethean software, hardware, and peripheral products. Here, you can obtain assistance with support inquiries, gain valuable product knowledge and acquire the latest software and driver updates for your Activclassroom solution. Knowledgebase Forgot your Promethean Planet password? Need help with your Activclassroom equipment? Not sure if you’ve configured your hardware and software correctly? Look no further than our Knowledgebase, where you’ll get immediate answers to your questions, when it’s most convenient for you. Software Upgrades The Software Upgrades section keeps you up to date on new releases of Activsoftware and drivers. Visit often to be sure you have the latest versions, and to keep your Activclassroom running smoothly. Flipchart Viewer Would you like to download and view flipcharts from Promethean Planet, but currently do not have Activsoftware loaded on your computer? Never fear, the Flipchart Viewer is here! Flipchart Viewer is a free download that allows you to view and have limited interaction with flipcharts created using Activsoftware. User Guides & Docs Whether you’re looking for help on how to use your Activsoftware, or need documentation on how to install the components of your Activclassroom, you’ll find what you need in the User Guides & Docs section. Contact Us If you need further assistance, our Support team is ready and willing to assist. You may contact us via phone or e-mail, whichever is more convenient for you!
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
APPENDIX: RESOURCE SEARCH 101 We're here to help you with your search questions! Not sure whether to use the Basic or Advanced Search? Looking for tips on entering keywords or choosing options in other fields? Want to know how to create a customized listing of recent resources? You'll find answers to all of these and more in our Resource Search 101 section - your guide to getting the results you want with every search!
How to Conduct a Basic Search ............................................................................ 13 How to Conduct an Advanced Search .................................................................. 16 Top 5 Search Tips .................................................................................................... 19 How to Create a Customized Recent Resource Listing .................................... 21 How to Conduct a State Standards Search (US Members).............................. 23 The Preview Window ............................................................................................... 26
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
How to Conduct a Basic Search To quickly find the resources you need, you may use the Basic Search bar or the Advanced Search located at the top of the Resources page, as well as on every page in the Resources section. When you've located the search bar in the top left portion of the page, complete the following to conduct a basic search. Enter keyword(s), choose subject area and grade level/age range Enter your Keyword(s), and choose your Subject Area and Grade Level as shown below. Hint: If you want to find resources related to a keyword regardless of Subject Area a nd Grade Level, simply type in the keyword and leave the other fields blank. You may vary your searches in this way by entering information in one or more fields in the search bar (i.e. If you choose Science in the Subject Area field, but leave the Keyword(s) and Grade Level fields blank, you'll see a listing of all science flipcharts, regardless of Grade Level.).
Choose resource type and search! Choose the type of resource for which you’d like to search as shown below (Lessons, Resource Packs or Weblinks), and click on the Search icon.
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
Search results On the Search Results page, hover your mouse over each thumbnail to view a short description of the resource. To select a resource, move your mouse just under the title of the resource until you see the cursor change to a hand, and click to select.
Preview page You will then be taken to a page containing details about the resource, including: description subject and grade/age levels number of views and downloads author name
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
In addition, you'll see a preview window containing an image of the resource. If your resource is a flipchart, you'll have the opportunity to preview each page in the flipchart in the preview window. For additional details on previewing flipcharts click here. When you're ready to save the flipchart to your computer, click on Download Flipchart under the preview window!
For more options, see page 16 for tips on working with the Advanced Search. To create a customized listing of Recent Resources, follow the instructions found here.
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
How to Conduct an Advanced Search The Advanced Search engine provides you with even more options for finding the right resource. You'll find the link to the Advanced Search box in the top right corner of the Resources page, as well as on every page in the Resources section.
When you've opened the search box, complete the following to conduct an advanced search. Choose your resource type Next to the Display field, located in the upper left portion of the search box, choose the type of resource you'd like to find (Lessons, Resource Packs, Weblinks).
Enter keyword(s), choose your subject area(s) Carefully enter your keywords in the field located on the left side of the search box.
Next, choose one or more subject areas for your search. US Subject Areas
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
UK/International Subject Areas
Choose your grade level(s)/age range(s) Choose one or more grade levels/age ranges for your search. US Grade Levels
UK/International Age Ranges
Enter your time frame Use this field to specify that you'd like to see resources submitted within the last week, month, six months or year.
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
Additional criteria You may further refine your search by selecting options for showing only resources containing assessment opportunities, audio, video or flash materials.
Searching for flipcharts from other countries By default, the advanced search box is set to find any flipcharts submitted from teachers in the US or the UK/Rest of World depending on where you’re located. If you'd like to search for flipcharts submitted from other areas of the world, you may do so using the Current Search section located on the right side of the search box. To find flipcharts submitted from other countries, click on the appropriate link located at the bottom of the Current Search section. You will then see the advanced search box that will allow you to search for these flipcharts. Next, enter your criteria as described above. US Current Search
UK Current Search
Search When you have finished entering your search criteria, click on the Search button in the bottom right portion of the box to view your listing, or click Cancel to cancel your search and close the search box.
Search Results Refer to page 14 of this guide for further information on search results and the resource preview page.
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
Top 5 Search Tips In order to ensure that your searches are efficient and effective, we've provided you with our Top 5 Search Tips for working with keywords and combining different search criteria. Please note that the default keyword search is based on a Boolean AND search; that is, resources that appear in the results listing contain all of the search terms you entered. Read on for more tips! 1. Choose specific ke ywords Think about exactly what you're looking for before entering your keyword search terms. For example, instead of entering "algebra" as a keyword, enter "positive numbers", "negative numbers", "variables", etc. You'll find that, when you are more specific with your terms, your results will be much more meaningful. 2. Try a synonym If the keyword you entered does not generate any results, see if you can think of a different word that describes what you'd like to see. It's possible that the keywords associated with a particular resource do not include all variations of the term for which you are searching. 3. Check your spelling Double check that you've typed your keyword correctly. As the search engine will only find exact matches for your keyword, it is essential that the term you enter is spelled correctly. 4. Ignore the Caps Lock Don't worry if your Caps Lock is on when entering your keywords. Our searches are not case sensitive, so capital letters won't make a difference in the results generated. 5. Mix up your search fields Use a combination of different field options to vary your results. See the chart below for a few examples.
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
Use These Search Criteria
Get These Results
Display (resource type) and Keyword(s)
All resources associated with the keyword(s) entered, regardless of any other criteria
Display (resource type) and Subject Area
All resources associated with the subject area(s) entered, regardless of any other criteria
Display (resource type) and Grade Level/Key Stage
All resources associated with the grade level(s) or key stage(s) entered, regardless of any other criteria
Display (resource type), Keyword(s) and Subject Area
All resources associated with the keyword(s) and subject area(s) entered
Display (resource type), Keyword(s), Subject Area and Grade Level/Key Stage
All resources associated with the keyword(s), subject area(s) and grade level(s) or key stage(s) entered
Display (resource type) and Show resources submitted within the last: month (or week, six months, year)
All resources of the type specified submitted within the last month
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
How to Generate a Customized Recent Resources Listing It's easy to generate your own customized listing of recent resources using the Advanced Search engine! The advantage of using the search engine is that you can: Choose the type of resource you want to see (flipchart, resource pack, weblink) Specify the time frame of recent resources (posted within the last week, month, six months, or year) Add other options, such as creating a listing of resources posted only for a particular subject area or grade level/age range You'll find the Advanced Search icon in the top right corner of the Resources page, as well as on every page in the Resources section.
When you've opened the search box, complete the following to generate your recent resource listing. Choose resource type and time frame Next to the Display field located in the upper left corner of the search box, choose the type of resource you'd like to find (Lessons, Resource Packs, Weblinks).
In the bottom left corner of the search box, you'll see the statement, "Show me resources submitted within the last". Choose your desired time frame (posted within the last week, month, six months or year).
Click the Search button in the bottom right portion of the box to view your listing, or click Cancel to cancel your search and close the search box.
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
Additional options For a more customized recent resource search, you may wish to complete fields for those areas listed below: Enter keywords to generate a search of recent resources associated with keywords you specify Choose one or more subject areas and grade levels/age ranges Select options for showing only resources containing assessment opportunities, audio, video or flash materials
Search Results Refer to page 14 of this guide for further information on search results and the resource preview page.
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
How to Conduct a State Standards Search (US members) The Advanced Search engine provides you with the ability to conduct a search based on your state standards. You'll find the link to the Advanced Search box in the top right corner of the Resources page, as well as on every page in the Resources section.
When you've opened the search box, complete the following to conduct a state standards search. Choose the State Standard link Located at the top of the search box, the Search by State Standard link will take you to the page where you will input the criteria for your chosen search.
Choose your criteria Locate the State Standards Search box in the center portion of the page. Next, enter your state, subject area, grade level and keyword(s) and click on the Submit button.
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
Search results On the Search Results page, you'll see a listing of state standards that relate to your criteria. Underneath each listing, you'll see links to resources associated with that particular standard. If you see a plus sign next to any of the listings, click on it to expand the resource listing. Click on any of the resource links to go to the resource preview page.
The Search area, located in the upper left corner of the results page, will show the criteria you entered for this search. To revise your search, simply enter in a new set of criteria and click on the Submit button.
Preview page When you've chosen your desired resource, you will be taken to a page containing details about the resource, including: description subject and grade/age levels number of views and downloads author name
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
In addition, you'll see a preview window containing an image of the resource. You'll also have the opportunity to preview each page in the flipchart in the preview window. For additional details on previewing flipcharts click here. When you're ready to save the flipchart to your computer, click on Download Flipchart under the preview window!
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
The Preview Window When you’ve selected the desired flipchart from your search results, you’ll see a large image of the title page on the left side of the screen, with the title of the resource at the top. This is the preview window. Use the arrows at the bottom or on either side of the preview window to move back and forth between each page of the flipchart. You may also hover your mouse over any of the page numbers along the bottom of the window to see a thumbnail of that page. Click on the number to see an enlarged image of the page in the preview window.
Around the flipchart preview window, you'll find additional information to help you determine whether or not you'd like to download the flipchart, including: flipchart description subject and grade/age levels number of views and downloads author name When you're ready to save the flipchart to your computer, click on Download Flipchart under the preview window!
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide
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Promethean Planet Getting Started Guide