Using SMART Notebook (Overview) A SMART Notebook is an electronic notebook that can capture and save images, objects and notes that are created on a SMART Board i.e. you can write student responses over a Powerpoint or diagram and capture the results as an editable document. The SMART Notebook can also be used to create interactive content; for you to use (and reuse) in the classroom i.e. you can set up moveable images and text to allow students to pair the correct image with the correct label. The SMART Notebook screen is split into three main areas. These are: 1. Workspace 2. Toolbar 3. Sidebar Each one is described below, but the best way you can get accustomed to what they do; is to have a go yourself.
Workspace The Workspace or Notebook Page is where you can place all of your content. This can be used to display a wide range of content including: Text Images Shapes Video Audio Hand written notes Links to other resources (i.e. documents or web pages) Activities The Workspace can display all of the pages, in your Notebook, in the same way that you can view each of your slides in a PowerPoint presentation. Toolbar The main Toolbar gives you instant access to the most popular SMART Notebook tools. The default layout looks like this: You can easily add or remove tools by clicking on the Settings button then drag tools onto or off the Toolbar. You can also move the Toolbar to the bottom of the screen for when you or your students are working at a SMART Board and may not be able to easily reach the top. The Individual Tools Icon Function Move Backwards and Forwards through the pages of your Notebook. Moving Forwards after your final page will Add a new page. Undo or Redo the previous action. Add a new page after the current page. Delete the currently selected page. Open an existing Notebook. Save your current Notebook.
Icon Function Screen View options including zooming in or out, split screen, transparent Notebook screen and fit to page. Paste the content of your clipboard. Works with copied text, images and any SMART Notebook object. Delete the currently selected item. Screen Capture tools. Save the current SMART Board / Notebook view as a new Notebook page. Screen Shade. Used to partially or fully cover / uncover the visible screen. Document Camera. Used to photograph documents from a connected document scanner. Insert a Table into your Notebook page. Measurement Tools. Ruler, protractor, geodreieck (set square) and compass. SMART Exchange provides a link to the SMART Exchange help and resources website. Select Tool. You should always return to Select in order to select or move any objects on your screen or workspace. Pen tools. Select and edit the Pen, Highlighter or Brush type. Shapes. Add and format shapes i.e. circles, stars, speech bubbles, etc. Text. Add, edit and format text. Choose fonts, colours, sizes and more. Regular Polygons. Add a regular shape with between 3 and 15 sides. Includes setting to modify the object. Line Tool is used to draw straight lines on the workspace. Paint Fill. Fill the background or an individual object with a single colour. Eraser. Rub out any drawing or writing that you have added to the screen. The eraser will work with some other objects too. Extended Tools Most of the Tools, listed above, have additional options or features. When you select the Tools these options will appear as either a drop down menu or an additional block on the main toolbar i.e. Select Tool chosen no additional options. Shapes chosen extends the available menu with more options.
You can explore these Extended Tools, in your own time, but 3 examples are shown below: 1. Pen Tools Selecting Pen Tools will allow you to make a number of adjustments to the way that you draw onscreen. This may be with your finger, a connected mouse or with one of the physical pens supplied with the board. These extended tools allow you to choose: The type of pen (i.e. pen, crayon, highlighter, etc.) The style of line drawn The colour drawn The line type and thickness Transparency of the drawing or writing 2. Text Tools Text tools are usually used with either a physical keyboard or the SMART onscreen keyboard. Before you begin typing select: A predefined text type and/or Font type Text size Bold / italic / underline Text alignment Text colour Other tools such as subtext, hypertext and crossed-out text. 3. Shapes Tool The Shapes tool allow you to choose from a range of available shapes and also define the line and fill colours. You can then type over these shapes or position them in front or behind other objects.
Sidebar To the left of the Workspace is the Sidebar. This contains additional resources and tools to help you work more easily and add additional resources to your Notebooks. The Sidebar in SMART Notebook 11 is split into 5 main sections: Page Sorter Gallery Attachments Properties Add-ons 1. Page Sorter The Page Sorter allows you to see and select the individual pages within your Notebook. This works in much the same was as it does in presentation software like PowerPoint. 2. Gallery The Gallery is a repository of images and interactive resources that you can use in your own Notebooks and teaching resources. Some Gallery objects are provided by SMART, but you can import your own or link to other gallery sources. There are also links to SMART Exchange and the Google 3D Warehouse for you to access more objects.
3. Attachments This is where you can find any attached documents and media objects. You can import and attach Office documents, audio files, video files and more. These will be visible as reusable objects here; that can be dragged onto any page(s) of your Notebook. 4. Properties The Properties tabs provides information and editing tools for the currently selected object i.e. if you select a text box, in a Notebook page, the Properties tab will display the text editing tools. The default page properties are displayed if no object is currently selected. This is restricted to the style and fill for the page background colour. No fill leaves the page with a plain white background. 5. Add-ons The Add-ons tab shows any additional functions that have been added to your copy of SMART Notebook. These are usually extra tools that you can download from SMART Tech or SMART Exchange. SMART Notebook will usually include the Activity Builder as a default Add-on.
Further help and guidance is available from Skills@cumbria. Skills@cumbria can be accessed through the University of Cumbria website or via the Skills@cumbria tab in Blackboard. These self-directed elearning resources cover many areas of study skills and personal academic development.