Using ActiVotes without a Board

Did you know that you can use the ActiVotes without a Promethean board? The ActiVotes are a great way to get all your students involved in review activities. They are usually stored in a grey box in your library (or maybe a classroom). Inside the box you will find 30-35 ActiVotes and an ActivHub. You plug the ActivHub into your USB port, pass out the ActiVotes to your students, and show some questions on your screen using the projector. The questions can be created with anything… Pages, Keynote, GoogleDocs, or you can even use Test Maker questions (just realize that the ActiVotes only have the letters A-F on them). To open the software look for expresspoll (Applications > Promethean > ActivInspire > expresspoll). You might even want to drag that to your dock for easy access. Once you open express poll, you will see a little question mark on your desktop. Roll your mouse over it, select the gear icon, and choose the ActiVote icon from the popup menu. Then a grid should appear on your desktop with numbers that correspond to each ActiVote. Students can start clicking their answers and watch as the grid lights up! When you press the red stop button, a graph will appear showing how many students chose each answer. It provides instant feedback so you will know what you need to review, and it keeps all the students engaged. I have a how-to video and handout on this website. Be sure to check out the Prezi explanation as well… it’s a cool new presentation program that you might like to try.