Using the Interactive Whiteboard
Getting started
-Logon to pc (when logged in the whiteboard will beep, this tells you it is on)
-Switch on projector (using remote control)
-You can now control computer using the pen!
-You may need to calibrate the interactive whiteboard first. This ensures that the image on the screen matches the whiteboard screen thinks the computer screen is showing you! In short, it ensures that when you click on ‘start’ on the whiteboard it controls start on the PC.
-A hexagon will appear on the bottom task bar to show that the whiteboard software is running.
To calibrate
-Use one of your pens to click on ‘calibrate’ on the right hand side of the interactive whiteboard screen.
-A blue screen will appear which with a crosshair in the top left hand corner. Click on each cross hair as it appears on the screen. The normal computer screen will appear when this is complete.
Whiteboard features
-There are two main uses of the whiteboard:
-Interactive mode and Whiteboard mode
-The interactive mode will give you access to all features. Use this version.
-Click on ‘interwrite interactive’ on the right hand side of the screen Click on the new page icon to get blank screen
-Write on the board (you can use the options of pen & eraser on the menu)
-For additional pages, click on the new page icon
-To view all pages and move to a new page, click on the page selector icon. Double click on the page you would like to go to.
-To save: go to the page sorter and go to file, save as. Pages will automatically be saved to your ‘my documents area’ in a folder called interwrite and then another folder called images. You can also print from here.
-To print: go to the page sorter and choose print To close, go to the viewer and click on the exit ‘door’
Annotations
-You can write over any screen (including the desktop) using the pens
-Click on the pen and a transparent whiteboard screen will appear (so that you can still see the desktop / application you are working on). You will know if this has happened as a grey number will appear on the top right hand of the screen.
-The pages with the annotations included will be saved as part of the whiteboard package (as above)
-To view / print the page: Click on the page viewer icon and use these tools.
Text Select Tool
Allows you to write onto the board in handwriting and turn it into typed text.
• After writing on the board, click on the toolbox and choose the text select tool.
• Draw a box over the text to change
• The text will turn into typed text
Freehand Text Recognition
-This allows you to write on any application using the pen and this will transfer your writing into printed text in the application.
-Click on the toolbox icon & freehand text recognition. A box will appear
-Click onto the page where you would like to insert the text (the cursor should be flashing)
-Write in the box using your pen - print your handwriting.
-When you have finished writing it will turn into typed text (if spelt incorrectly, click on the spelling menu to correct it).
-The text will appear in the document!
On screen keyboard
-Allows you to use the keyboard without moving over to the computer (best option for typing in web addresses)
-There are many other features.
To load previous saved whiteboard screens
• Load the interwrite interactive software
• Click on the create blank page icon
• Click on the page sorter icon
• Click on file, open
• Find the saved file and click on Open
• When asked if you want to save changes to untitled say no
• Your slides will appear on the screen, double click on the one you want.
Saving your interactive whiteboard pages in a generic format
As you know, your whiteboard pages are saved as a gwb file which can only be opened on a PC with the whiteboard software on. However, you can export these pages in a variety of ways. The 3 main ways I suggest are:
JPG: Each file is saved as an image file which can be opened on any PC with a photo editor (most PCs these days).
PDF: makes one file which contains all the pages and can be opened with Adobe Acrobat.
HTML: Creates a set of pages containing the images. Will work anywhere but does make a folder full of files which will all need to be uploaded / e-mailed.
To export / save interactive whiteboard pages in different formats:
• Load the pages you want to save into a different format.
• Click on the page sorter icon
• Click on file, export
• Choose the type of file and click on save / OK
The exported file will be saved on your drive in the interwrite folder and then in the export folder.
AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Question Focus: Detail question - asks what shows the whiteboard is ready
Correct Answer: B
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage clearly says a hexagon appears on the bottom task bar, which means a symbol appears at the foot of the screen.
Passage Reference: You may need to calibrate the interactive whiteboard first. This ensures that the image on the screen matches the whiteboard screen thinks the computer screen is showing you! In short, it ensures that when you click on 'start' on the whiteboard it controls start on the PC. -A hexagon will appear on the bottom task bar to show that the whiteboard software is running.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'hexagon will appear on the bottom task bar' = Option: 'a symbol will appear at the foot of the screen'
Tips: Look for a clear signal or indicator mentioned in the passage, not an action you do.
Why the other options are wrong:
- A: Students may choose this because the passage talks a lot about pens. However, it never says a pen symbol appears. This is a Not Given trap.
- C: Students may focus on clicking 'start', but the passage says this is what calibration ensures, not how you know the board is ready. This is a Context shift trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- task bar = bottom bar of the screen
- symbol = icon
Question Focus: Detail question - asks how to access all features
Correct Answer: B
Passage Reference: -There are two main uses of the whiteboard: -Interactive mode and Whiteboard mode -The interactive mode will give you access to all features. Use this version.
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage directly says interactive mode will give you access to all features.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'interactive mode will give you access to all features' = Option: 'set the interactive whiteboard to interactive mode'
Tips: When the passage uses clear instructions like 'use this version', trust it.
Why the other options are wrong:
- A: Students may think whiteboard mode sounds logical, but the passage says interactive mode gives all features. This is a Contradiction trap.
- C: The passage is very clear that only one mode gives all features, not both. This is a Contradiction trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- access = ability to use
- features = tools
Question Focus: Detail question - asks the purpose of the interwrite folder
Correct Answer: C
Passage Reference: To save: go to the page sorter and go to file, save as. Pages will automatically be saved to your 'my documents area' in a folder called interwrite and then another folder called images.
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage explains that pages are saved in the interwrite folder, meaning it is where your work is saved.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'Pages will automatically be saved ... in a folder called interwrite' = Option: 'is where your work is saved'
Tips: Be careful with answers that focus on one detail and ignore the full function.
Why the other options are wrong:
- A: Students may think folders are for settings, but the passage only talks about saving work there. This is a Not Given trap.
- B: The passage mentions an images folder inside interwrite, but interwrite itself is not only for images. This is a Partial truth trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- automatically = without you doing it
- folder = file location
Question Focus: Detail question - asks what a grey number means
Correct Answer: A
Passage Reference: Click on the pen and a transparent whiteboard screen will appear (so that you can still see the desktop / application you are working on). You will know if this has happened as a grey number will appear on the top right hand of the screen.
Why this is correct: This is correct because the grey number shows a transparent whiteboard screen has appeared, which means you have a clear screen to write on.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'transparent whiteboard screen will appear' = Option: 'a clear screen is available to write on'
Tips: Follow the sequence of actions carefully to understand cause and effect.
Why the other options are wrong:
- B: Students may connect numbers with exiting or counting pages, but exiting is never linked to the grey number. This is a Not Given trap.
- C: The pen is clicked before the grey number appears, so the number does not mean the pen has loaded. This is a Time/tense trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- transparent = clear
- indicates = shows
Question Focus: Detail question - asks what a gwb file is
Correct Answer: C
Passage Reference: As you know, your whiteboard pages are saved as a gwb file which can only be opened on a PC with the whiteboard software on.
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage explains that gwb is the normal file type used by the whiteboard software.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'saved as a gwb file' = Option: 'the standard whiteboard file type'
Tips: Notice when the passage contrasts one file type with others.
Why the other options are wrong:
- A: Students may confuse exporting with saving, but exporting uses JPG, PDF or HTML, not gwb. This is a Context shift trap.
- B: The passage says gwb files can only be opened on certain PCs, so they are not widely compatible. This is a Contradiction trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- standard = normal
- compatible = works with
Question Focus: Detail question - asks a disadvantage of HTML
Correct Answer: B
Passage Reference: HTML: Creates a set of pages containing the images. Will work anywhere but does make a folder full of files which will all need to be uploaded / e-mailed.
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage clearly says HTML creates a folder full of files, which is the drawback.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'does make a folder full of files' = Option: 'that a lot of files are created'
Tips: Pay attention to words like 'but', which often introduce disadvantages.
Why the other options are wrong:
- A: The passage never compares export time, so this idea is not mentioned. This is a Not Given trap.
- C: The passage says the files can be uploaded or e-mailed, not that they cannot. This is a Contradiction trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- drawback = disadvantage
- export = save in another format
Question Focus: Detail question - asks when calibration finishes
Correct Answer: C
Passage Reference: A blue screen will appear which with a crosshair in the top left hand corner. Click on each cross hair as it appears on the screen. The normal computer screen will appear when this is complete.
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage says calibration is finished when the normal computer screen appears again.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'normal computer screen will appear when this is complete' = Option: 'when the usual screen reappears'
Tips: Always read to the end of the instruction to find the completion signal.
Why the other options are wrong:
- A: Students may stop reading too early, but calibration requires clicking all cross hairs, not just one. This is a Partial truth trap.
- B: The passage never mentions a pen symbol returning after calibration. This is a Not Given trap.
Key Vocabulary:
- calibration = matching the screen correctly
- complete = finished
General Tips:
- MCQ questions follow passage order - use the location of the last answer to find the next one faster.
- Do not choose an option just because it sounds logical in real life. Check the exact words in the passage.
- Watch for symbols, signals, or indicators. These are often tested in detail questions.
- Eliminate wrong answers by asking: Is this clearly stated, or am I assuming?
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