Promethean resources in another format??

[rebelukone]

At my old school I had promethean and used this website and the resources all the time.
Moved to a new school which has smart notebook and was wondering if the resources on this site are avaiable somewhere else as smart notebook or powerpoint? I was using the national whiteboard network for the powerpoints and now this site seems to be no longer available. Any suggestions would be much appreciated :)

[LisaD]

Perhaps your school could purchase Activstudio licenses and use that with the Smartboard. I understand that some folks have done that and then you could use all of the resource basically without modification, conversion or worries!

Lisa

[markrobinson]

If you are UK based go for the off-board software options... They are incredibly good value - esp. since you can use everything on planet and it will work perfectly.

You can get the different versions and full home access licenses from Promethean

http://www.Prometheanworld.com/shop/server/show/ConGenericProduct.103

http://www.prometheanworld.com/shop/server/show/ConGenericProduct.167


or from publishers like Oxford University Press who sell Activprimary with the flipchart content they make for their national programmes for reading and writing.

As Lisa highlights - there is a lot of programming differences between the different versions of IWB software and in some cases licensed content that cannot or will not convert.

[rexboggs5]

If you are UK based go for the off-board software options... They are incredibly good value - esp. since you can use everything on planet and it will work perfectly. ...

Is this available for folks not in the UK? If not, will this option be extended at some time in the future to, say for example, Australia?

Cheers

Rex

[markrobinson]

When Australia has 100% school penetration of IWBs (like the UK now has) then I am sure we will....

[Alison]

Hi rebelukone,

You don't say where you're from! I'm from Barnet in London and our LEA ran sessions a couple of years ago (a real mouthful! An Interactive Whiteboard Resource Development Group) which looked at creating matching flipcharts in both formats. There obviously had to be slight differences, due to the differences in software, but it was close enough. Have you asked your LEA if they have a similar bank of resources? I know it's not the best solution, but it might be a step. +wave+

[janineR]

failing these more desirable options you can convert the flipchart files into notebook using file/import. I just tried a version 3 file in notebook 10 and it worked. The downside is that any actions etc that were applied will be lost, but if you can't get activ at least you can convert and use them.

[markrobinson]

There is always small print....

Just be aware that Activ software license restricts the use of any Promethean supplied software resources with Activsoftware. You are not prevented from sharing our assets and resources with any other IWB user as long as it is used with Promethean flipchart content. This allows use to keep it all free and build a sharing community. If it effectively gets "stolen" - then we all lose out. We have people making endless assets, pictures, templates, videos and activities that we invest in.

We have long had viewers and other software options to ensure content can be shared with anyone and remain functional at the same time.

Same with SMART and their resources service - check out the license small print - their content is in fact "leased" to you personally and must be surrendered when you unsubscribe. This does not permit sharing at all.

[LisaD]

Yes, you're right, Mark. At least from what I can read about their subscription service. I saw the following post:

Question:
I also sent this to your support email, but i thought I would give this a shot.

I was reviewing your FAQ’s section and there was something I didn’t quite understand. Concerning your question, “What rights do I have when I download content?”, I was confused by your answer. The response on the your site indicates “content may not be made public in any way, specifically not on the Internet…”.

If an educator creates a notebook file/presentation and posts that file on the schools website, classroom blog or wiki on the internet, it would violate copyright? Schools are moving to online collaboration to communicate with students, parents and other staff. Since they do this over the internet, they would not be allowed to share this content via their blog or wiki online if it contains Learning Marketplace downloads? Am I understanding this correctly?

Thank you for your time.

Answer:
Brad - that's a really good question (or set of questions, better put). I'm forwarding your post on to the product manager for the Learning Marketplace so they can clarify this for you.

This is part of the small print.

RESTRICTIONS ON USE

You shall not:

* use the Content in any commercial or for-profit manner (including without limitation as part of any public exhibitions where an admission fee is charged for viewing) without SMART's prior written consent;
* use the Content in a manner that disparages the Content, GGFL, SMART or in any manner that may be deemed inappropriate by SMART in its sole discretion;
* take any actions, whether intentional or unintentional, that may circumvent, disable, damage or impair the SLM's control or security systems, nor allow or assist a third party to do so. This prohibition includes but is not limited to hacking, de-compiling, disassembling and reverse-engineering the Website or the Content;
* alter, amend, remove or obscure the Content, or the Website;
* allow copies of the Content to be stored or accessed by anyone who is not an authorized user;
* display any part of the Content to the general public including mount or distribute any part of the Content on any electronic network (including without limitation the Internet and the World Wide Web), save as permitted in this Agreement;
* maintain downloaded Content after the expiration of your subscription unless for reference purposes of submission by you to an educational board or as it relates to Student Projects;

Lots of what I call "mice-type."

Lisa

[markrobinson]

Little of the content on this service was developed specifically with for the IWB in mind

[janineR]

Yes, you're right, Mark. At least from what I can read about their subscription service. I saw the following post:



I guess for a subscription service though thats fair enough, you are being charged for the content after all.

But surely the free stuff that you get can be used however you like from both companies- after all it's made by us teachers right? SMART and Promethean don't own it -do they?

[janineR]

NICE! ha ha, so did they buy stuff from promethean to put on their site then?

[markrobinson]

Anything a teacher makes using all their own pictures, word,s etc. is certainly theirs to share and convert as they see fit - although there is some big debate in the education sector because many employing institutions claim they actually own the content their teachers make - and this is currently creating some friction with some groups.

What is created by Promethean and bought as part of the system by the school is produced at a cost by Promethean so we just hope people do not give it all away inadvertently - but we certainly do not try to prevent sharing.

There are a few posts around creative commons and public domain licensed images if you do a search. If you are making stuff to share - then that is always a great place to start and helps avoid the worst complications of IPR - not that it is ever uncomplicated... someone had to create something and there are certain moral rights.

Certainly the whole area of copyright and IPR is changing quickly and under massive challenges. It is hard to see a solution either...