Follows these steps to create a SMARTTable activity files...
Step 1: Design the flow of the activity to meet the learning intention for the particular subject area. Sketching a story map is a great way to organize the development of the learning throughout the process.
- I can match leaves that have the same shape
- I can match leaves that are the same colour
- I can finish a leaf pattern of colours
- I can finish a leaf pattern of shapes
Story Map:
Hot Spot - Version A: Students see a background with different coloured leaves. On top are the 'loose' coloured leaves. Student task is to move the leaves to match the leaves on the background.
Hot Spot - Version B: Students see a background with different shaped leaves. On top are the 'loose' leaves of different shapes. Student task is to move the leaves to match the leaves on the background.
Hot Spaces - Version A: Students see a background that has different coloured areas. On top are the 'loose' collection of coloured leaves. Students sort the leaves to match the coloured background.
Media - Collection of leaves - drawn and photographs. Students are tasked with exploring the leaf collection with the focus of shape and colour.
Multiple Choices: Students match tokens showing different leaf combinations (colour/shape) with the quiz card.
Paint: Plain and patterned backgrounds for the students to complete.
Step 2: Collect and/or create art of the shapes that you wish to use in your activity. (Applications to use are Pages, Grab)
Step 3: Create the background for your activity using an Art program OR iWork 08's Pages. The secret to being successful at this stage is to be able to save your 'art background' first as a Pages Document, then as a PDF, and finally, using the program Preview, as a jpg. See the movie below....
Step 4: Open SMARTTable Toolkit Application - create a new activity file. Select the following applications in the toolkit: Hot Spot, Hot Spaces, Media, Multiple Choice, Paint. (see movie below)
Step 5: Click on the Hot Spot tab.
- Give the Activity a name - create
- Type your opening instructions - only 46 'characters' - keep it short!
- Record your opening instructions in Audacity - export as .mp3
- Select the .mp3 file to add to your opening instructions
- Ensure that you have selected the 'end region' rather than the 'start position'
- Select the background by selecting the 'folder' icon - find the background image jpg created in Pages and Preview. Select the 'loose' leaves by selecting 'Add Picture's' folder icon. Select the number of leaf files that match the background leaves. Place the leaves directly over their 'matching' image on the background
- Select the 'start position' radio button - then move all the loose leaves to different spots randomly around the background image - this will be where the images appear when the application opens
- Repeat steps to create a 2nd activity
