Inspire-so complicated

[alexander_geoff]

I've spent 2 hours trying to get to grips with Inspire having used Activprimary for a few years. As IT co-ordinator in a primary school, part of my role involves training staff to develop their confidence, hopefully, leading to a more interactive and absorbing style of delivery. Obviously all change leads to a learning curve but I feel that where possibly first time Activ adopters may find Inspire attractive, I'd suggest that the transition from Activprimary to Inspire is not as intuitive as I would have hoped so we'll be sticking to Activprimary.

[philblaylock]

I'd have to disagree with you! I've been playing with the trial version and got to grips with it quickly. Two other teachers cover me in class, and I wouldn't say they're particularly computer literate. I've left Activ Inspire up-and-running for them and they didn't have any problems using it. Even if there was a bit of familiarisation, there are so many features and benefits which make it worth the effort!

[Louise Chew]

is there anything in particular you've not found intuitive?
Is it that there is something missing that you use all the time?
I take it you set it up as a primary user when you first started the app (sorry, I know that is a stupid question, but just checking!!)

[sdreyer]

Interesting...There is a second grade teacher in our district, who up until a month ago, has only used ACTIVprimary. She downloaded Inspire beta and has been opening her flipcharts in Inspire Studio. Her students (7-8 years old) helped her figure out how to use the software, prefer the new clean look, and won't let her go back!

[JanP]

Introductory and migration courses available on Activlearning already....

What attracted me to Promethean two and a half years ago (I was s**** user then) was Activprimary. Way back in Aug when I had a chance to evaluate the first beta of Inspire I was skeptical that the team could better an already great product. Well I have to say that they have managed to do it! I love Inspire with the Primary skin.

Remember, both versions can sit on the same computer. This gives people the time to move over to Inspire as they develop confidence. Once they get to grips with the changes in interface users will quickly realise that Inspire makes everything easier to do! The ablility to customise also means that a user can make it look very close to the version 3 interface if that works best for them!

Give it time.... it will grow on you very quickly!

Janice

[jacobitejake]

Hi Geoff

A few weeks ago I would have agreed with you... I too have loved using activprimary since its birth... It took me lots of customising initially to make the toolbar as friendly as I thought it was in primary... now, well I believe that Inspire allows your teachers freedom, freedom to choose how complicated, or not, they would like their interface to be, or, more importantly, which tools they use the most and to have them right where they want them... the change to Inspire reminds me of the day when a Mr B Gates dropped on us the START button and got rid of my windows in 3.1... it all seemed to much hard work, but now, we all couldn't live without it... I think if you start with getting staff comfortable in customising their toolbar... the rest will just gradually fall into place.

However set in our ways we get, sometimes we have to move a little out of our comfort zone to progress up the technology ladder... Activexpression, dual pen and who knows what's next up the developers sleeves... it's all included in Inspire and will never be dropped into activprimary... sooner or later we will all have to make the move... I personally think it's better to move early... as in time, Inspire will have even more functionality and then it will be a much bigger step to take...

Good luck when you take the plunge... it will be worth it, I'm sure... :)

[hlh422]

alexander_geoff- I would have agreed with you all during the beta testing period. I did find the new software very difficult to understand (a little too Mac-like for me) and have to say I was a little "un"inspired. BUT, after downloading the software yesterday and actually putting both versions (Studio & Primary) through it's paces I'm actually starting to :eek: like it! Yes, it's going to take some time to learn some of the features but I'm picking it up quicker than I thought and v3 is already feeling "old" to me. As Janice said, give it some time.

[mwallace]

Hi there,

I just wanted to wave a little flag for the FREE ActivLearning tutorials which are available here: http://www.prometheanplanet.com/server.php?show=nav.16860

and give an excellent introduction to ActivInspire - especially useful as a first 'getting your head round the differences' activity...I appreciate that this is a big change for some people who have spent many happy years with the software as it was, so we have tried to provide you with as much support as possible.

We are always listening so any ideas on easing the transition would be very much appreciated.

Mary Wallace
Senior Product Manager - Software

[LouB]

Hi,

I understand where you are coming from, I am an ActivPrimary user through and through and to start with I wanted to cry trying to use Inspire, now though a couple of weeks down the line I am getting to grips with it and finding it much easier to use. I love the fact that I can customize the tool bar, it means that I can get rid of the icons I don't use that much and add the functions that I use in every lesson.

I also think that the transition to Inspire will be easier for those teachers who do not know AP inside out and upside down. Now I have got to grips with it a bit more, I am going to give it a whirl at my school, will let you know how I get on.

Lou +wave+

[Alison]

alexander_geoff I know how you feel. I, too, found that AP was instinctive to use and people could interact with it very quickly, whilst AI was more alien. The good news is that it does grow on you! When introducing it to staff, stick to only one thing at a time. Introduce it gradually and slowly! I'll be doing this over a long period of time before deleting AP (Necessary, otherwise they won't use AI). Like Lou, I'll let you know how I get on...+wave+