Is it possible to use activote without being connected to a promethean board?

[cheyw]

Is it possible to use activote without being connected to a promethean board. I was sure that when it was demonstrated to us that you could use it with any board using the ariel thingy! I wanted to use it in our hall with our parents and although we have a projector we have no whiteboard in there but it won't let me register the devices. When I choose the language it tells me that my hardware and software are not compatible. Am I trying to achieve the impossible!! Any help would be gratefully received.

[Charlotte]

This is possible. You need to use the HUB rather thatn the aerial thingy... This registers the devices to the laptop. Means than ActiVote is totally portable... can be used anyywhere. +wave+

[cheyw]

Without wanting to sound really stupid - what's the hub? Is that what I was describing as the aerial thingy?

[Margaret Allen]

Not sure about the aerial thingy :eek: :eek: :eek:

The hub looks like a voting device, but it has a usb lead attached to it! This lead is plugged into a laptop/pc and acts as a mobile receiver which negates the need for a board as the hub electronics emulate the board electronics.

This means that voting and the slate can now be used anywhere in the school [clap]

[Charlotte]

Margaret - that's just what I was going to say!! The hub thingy reminds me of a game we had as kids - an electronic device which played lights and sound in a random order and you had to copy it ... Simple Simon? Something like that! clwn

[cheyw]

That's what I thought. I have plugged the hub into the laptop but i won't work. It won't let me register the devices. Do I have to do anything else other than plug the hub in? Many thanks for your attempts to help me!!

[Margaret Allen]

Hi

You might need to do this.....

Look on Bmsci's post on this thread

http://www.prometheanworld.com/common/html/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=1645&highlight=human+interface

If this doesn't work, then actually the best route is probably Tech Support - as quoted above....
If you have a technical query, please contact Promethean Technical Support by visiting http://www.Prometheanworld.com (http://www.prometheanworld.com/) selecting your country and then navigating to the Support page.

Sorry this has proved painful, it should be fine... but hey technology - such a joy, such an inspiration, such a time saver, such a source of fun and enjoyment, such a way forward.... BUT then ..... :( :mad: :eek: ???? :confused: :rolleyes: clwn :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: ???? :rolleyes:

[martiningram1971]

I would like to know a bit more about this hub thingy???? Does this mean that promethean quizzes could be used on a starboard or a smartboard with one of these thingys??? How much do they cost???
Any help would be appreciated

[Charlotte]

As if you'd want to be using someone else's board....
But yes is the answer to your question. You can use the hub and a laptop - no board of any type even needed! +wave+

[LisaD]

But, be aware, if you use an OtherBoard, and it doesn't support right clicks or rollovers, this won't change even with Promethean's great software, hub, slate and votes!

On the other hand, if I had an OtherBoard and my peers had an ACTIVboard, this would be a great way for us all to be using the same software (and teaching strategies including ACTIVotes great formative assessment capatibilities) to collaborate on lessons.



Just my two cents.

Lisa

[michele.horsburgh]

The Hub (mobile receiver) has also enabled teachers to take the voting sets outside the classroom collecting pupil results just using a laptop. Some teacher have taken them out on school field trips and collected "action data" while impressions were fresh in pupils minds.

[AirSkeeter]

That is an awesome use for it!!! WOW!!!

[saha]

michelle,
the only other thing we need from activotes now is asynchronous voting capability :)
I know we users never are satisfied :)

[Lee Nelson]

saha,
could you explain what you mean by "asynchronous voting capability".

[saha]

By asynchronous voting, I mean the ability of students to answer/vote multiple choice questions at their own pace.
So for example a student could be given a paper test...and students can enter correct answers on their votes at their own pace and in different order. Of course this would mean the ability to give the students a visual clue on activboard which questions they have answered and which they have not.
When Mark was in atlanta last year..I talked to him about it...and he said there were plans for that.

[daverosthorn]

By asynchronous voting, I mean the ability of students to answer/vote multiple choice questions at their own pace.
So for example a student could be given a paper test...and students can enter correct answers on their votes at their own pace and in different order. Of course this would mean the ability to give the students a visual clue on activboard which questions they have answered and which they have not.
When Mark was in atlanta last year..I talked to him about it...and he said there were plans for that.

i can't imagine how you'd be able to do that :confused: would be soooo cool though if you could.

[daverosthorn]

The Hub (mobile receiver) has also enabled teachers to take the voting sets outside the classroom collecting pupil results just using a laptop. Some teacher have taken them out on school field trips and collected "action data" while impressions were fresh in pupils minds.

Agreed with Bill - WOW! :D :D :D

[saha]

hey dave,
I belive it can be done quite easily.
If you look at quizdom and einstruction website...you will see that they make devices for asynchronous voting.
I belive that the engine(both software and hardware) for this to happen is already there in Promethean offerings. Just a matter of expanding and modifying the activote structure...software and hardware.

[Dug]

I have successfully used the hub to run two voting sessions simultaneously in the same classroom. Whilst I run a session with the majority of the class through the IWB, my teaching assistant has a small group of children (of lower ability) around a laptop+hub in a corner of the room doing a 'differentiated' voting activity. You just need to make sure that the two computers are set up on different channels.
We also use a hub in the school hall where instead of a board, we have a huge screen and projector system. The hub allows you to use a slate to control the computer- useful in assemblies and when our Y6 children give Powerpoint Presentations to the school (show and tell style). I've also found it invaluable using the slate to control the computer media player to play(etc) CDs for dancing when I don't want to keep leaving the heart of the dance to tend to the CD player.

[AirSkeeter]

Saha,

:D I have used a device for "asynchronous" voting before, they are called SCANTRONS!!! :D

The premise behind the ACTIVvote is that it enables instant feedback from multiple users at once. The teacher can get instant feedback on a student's progress in formative assessment as well as summative assessment. That way the students can do some real time learning on the same question (As teachers we know that when a student gets a question correct, that does not always mean they understand it.). To do that type of voting (asynchrounous), would take that "teachable" moment away.


I for one am not a fan of multiple choice questions. The way that I work around that and use the ACTIVvotes to my advantage is to give the students the exam, quiz, or whatever, ahead of time without multiple choice answers. I then have them vote on questions with a 5-7 second response limit which reduces the chance of copying, guessing and checking (they should have already done that on their problem), and allows for them to work at their own pace.

That said, If a student needs a modification for extended time, you may have to have them take the test ahead of time and they can still participate in the session. Thereby, they are all included. It just takes a little planning.

The collaborative classroom system is an excellent tool that helps students learn in a much different way. It also changed the way that I taught. Many of the tips that you see here are the result of many folks hard work for the last 10 years thinking outside of the box. I used the system in my classroom for almost 2 years and changed my instructional style many times. I'll call it an evolution.

Many other systems and equpiment claim to be the answer for instructional technology. I have not found one that can hold a candle to Promethean as far as putting the whole system together in one simple connection to the computer (usb or serial) and one single software interface. As a teacher I tested and tried many of them. If you don't believe me, a private school in Houston did an exhaustive amount of research comparing all that is available.

Some of these "pretenders" may have one or two features that teachers may like, but I dare say that you will not find a corporation that is more responsive to the needs and wishes of teachers, as you have seen here in this forum , the constant upgrading and enhancement of their software(for free), as well as one that is bundled together as ours is.

Sorry I was so wordy folks....I will step off of my soapbox for a moment.... :D

[John Fearn]

If only the Promethean handsets had 0-9 response keys. Our maths and science departments use an alternative voting system so that they can collect numeric responses.