Bett

[Margaret Allen]

Although not a specific Hot Topic in terms of resources - I just wanted to ensure you all make a point of coming to see us at BETT. We have new features and resources and content to show you and we would like you to go away inspired and motivated. BUT in my experience of sharing and talking to fellow users/teachers at BETT everybody gains an insight into what is possible.

It would be fantastic if after your visit to the stand you were able to share any info or anything that you thought might help others. Not everyone is lucky enough to get released to go and this way we can share the experience.

The flps in some format will be available as a download but it would be good to hear how some of these ideas have been subsequently adopted and adapted.

ALSO please make yourself known to us if you are able. It would be so nice to put faces to these names that I regularly communicate with but have no idea who you are and where you are from....

See you there! [clap]


W19 W40 V60 are the stands

[leviosa]

Erm what's BETT, where and when?

[Margaret Allen]

Not very local for you sorry.... http://www.bettshow.com/show_home1.asp


The link might help. I am sorry that I assumed everyone would know. When you are so immersed in things you forget that not everyone else is.

[Charlotte]

ALSO please make yourself known to us if you are able. It would be so nice to put faces to these names that I regularly communicate with but have no idea who you are and where you are from....
See you there!
I am very much looking forward to putting some faces to the names. too... BETT is always a must for us - as our school is a mere 10 mins walk away!! Looking forward to hearing about new toys and gadgets in the pipeline too!! See you there.
Charlotte +wave+

[daverosthorn]

My manager is going. As I mentioned in a previous post, BEWARE! (hahaha)

[invinoveritas]

Hmm. I was there on Friday afternoon, watching the demos with interest. I am self-trained & have no opporunity to see any other teacher in my school using their board.

The lady who approached me was very nice; she offered me the training CD if I registered; I told her I had gained 'professional user accreditation' - she did not know what I was talking about.

I got the impression that only prospective customers were welcome. My school has a board in each classroom - a huge investment. But helping the staff to USE this asset effectively in their day-to-day teaching doesn't appear to be on the company's 'to do' list.

[Peter Lambert]

Thanks for the feedback. It was a pity you had that impression. As you can imagine it is "all hands to the pump" at BETT and we have to enlist help from all departments in the company. In fact, the completion form you were offered is exactly for existing users. We are wishing to support existing users by starting myiwb.com, a web site where we will migrate the forums, have tips and tricks and a large resources section. Over the coming months we are hoping this will become a valuable resource for all our users.

with best wishes,

[leviosa]

I can't comment on BETT - too far for us northerners to skive off school :rolleyes:

However, I attended a free training course run by Promethean on how to use the boards - mainly foucsed on Activote - which is more hassle than it's worht to borrow from another dept in my place.

However, the guy doing the presenting (I forget hsi name) was making the IWB do all sorts of clever tricks and Peter Lee fromPromethean was sat near me - helping out - I pestered himto death that day - how did he do this, that, the other, learnt loads of stuff and now am flying with it - having taught myself loads of other stuff and pestered this lot on here for the rest.

To add to that Peter even gave me his e mail and phone number and offered to help any time I was stuck on something as well as pointing me to these forums - now trhat's what I call customer service. [clap] [clap] [clap]

[leviosa]

BTW Couldn't you suggest some inter departmental sharing of knowledge as maybe part of Inset or staff meetings? Could be good professional development all round.

[Margaret Allen]

Hi

Thanks for those comments Leviosa..... I am sad as Pete, that you didn't feel welcomed/supported.

All of our demonstrations included the new "bits" of 2.5 and this was also aimed at our existing users and new users wouldn't know about this obviously. BUT having said that, I think it is good to have feedback and we as a company need to know that perhaps we don't always get it right, so enough said... we'll try and do better in future.

In the meantime, you may find the free online tutorials helpful... and I am not sure if you know about our resources which can also give an insight into the software's use.

Just to reiterate Pete's point www.iwb.com (http://www.iwb.com) is available to register and we will be working on this as soon as normality returns after BETT. :D

http://www.prometheanworld.com/uk/html/training/tutorials.shtml

http://www.prometheanworld.com/uk/scripts/links_sql/page.cgi?g=&d=1

+wave+

[invinoveritas]

Hi. Thanks for your replies.

I went to BETT in my own time (teach p/t), and was looking forward to getting answers to a few problems from the experts at the stands; perhaps I expected too much!

I saw a feature demonstrated that I'll use in my teaching.

We do help train each other at school, but everyone is at a different stage, and you have to be careful not to offend the teachers who are struggling to master basic IT. Also, I'm a very junior member of staff.

I'm grateful for all the advice on this forum. Good luck with the new website!

[invinoveritas]

Hello Margaret. It was your first post on this thread that encouraged me to trek down to Olympia!

I am extremely proud of my 'professional user' certificate, and am now helping other teachers in my school to qualify.

While preparing the flipcharts for submission, I discovered many useful features which aren't specifically described in the manuals, and I know I still have a lot to learn. This forum has been a great source of information.

[leviosa]

Definitely it is great on here and htey never get impatient when they ask what Iconsider are 'dumb' questions - but I desperately want to know how to do something.


I know what you mena about stepping on toes though ...

[Margaret Allen]

We had some fun doing Sudoku when things quietened down a bit at the end of the day. Several people asked for the flp. So here it is. It has a selection of easy, medium, hard and difficult.

What I suggest is that you save the grid and the "piles" of numbers as one resource in your library.

If you select the lot in one go you can save them in one go too! That is where the library is so fantastic in that you can drag either individual items or lots in one go.

+wave+

[Charlotte]

Well I thought BETT was fab!! I managed to coax a number of colleagues to join me - most were under the impression it was for geeks in long macs...
They all went away with loads of ideas and plenty of freebies. We all know how much teachers love giveaways! My personal faves came from the Promethean stand (of course) the pen and lanyard are soooo helpful. Unfortunate colour though - the others in the staffroom asked if I was now sponsored by Easyjet! - just the sound of jealousy I fear....
Really nice to put faces to the names - thanks to Pete and Margaret for your time. Nice to meet you both in the flesh!
We all know where the real SMARTies hang out! +wave+

[Peter Lambert]

{} For those comments you deserve a big Promethean Hug! :p

[daverosthorn]

We had some fun doing Sudoku when things quietened down a bit at the end of the day.

Obsessed!!!