1. Restart your laptop often: Be sure to do this once or twice a week. More if you find that your board is not connecting to your laptop. 2. Keep your ActivInspire software up to date: ActivInspire will notify you that there is an update when you open it, if one is available. Don't put off your updates! 3. Calibrate: If your pen seems off, calibrate your board by hovering your pen over the flame at the top left of the board. Follow the steps to calibrate. 4. Conserve your bulb life: Replacement bulbs are $$$. Be sure to turn off your projector when it is not in use to ensure that your bulb lasts a long time. Using the AV Mute button does not help in conserving the bulb. 5. Clean your filter 6. Use the correct display settings: Display should be set to 1024 X 768, 60 Hz in the System Preferences to make the image appear correctly on the board. 7. Make sure your sound preferences are correctly set to Promethean Audio on your computer. (Click Apple > SystemPreferences > Sound > Output > Promethean) 8. Take off your badge: Your badge may deactivate the pens. Take it off when using the pens if you have trouble. (This tip does not apply to boards that do not require pens and have touch-capability.) 9. Join Class Flow: You’ll find great resources and pre-made materials to use. 10. Never write on the board with dry-erase pens or any real ink. (This tip does not apply to boards that do not require pens and have touch-capability.)
ActivInspire
If you are a Promethean Board user, be sure to create a free account on Class Flow. There you will find free, teacher-created lessons to use with your board. You can search for resources by topic, grade level, etc.
To update your software, open ActivInspire. Then, click on Help/Checkfor Updates in the menu bar. Or, you may use Class Flow instead of Activinspire. Class Flow is Promethean's cloud-based lesson delivery software. You can run your lesson right from your internet browser. You may also use the Class Flow site
Need help using the ActivInspire software? Be sure to check out my step sheets page. Also, check out the ActivTips section on Promethean Planet for short instructional videos.