Smart Notebook 11 Adds Browser Embedding, Adaptive Toolbar -- THE Journal

Smart Classroom Technologies

Smart Notebook 11 Adds Browser Embedding, Adaptive Toolbar

By David Nagel
04/26/12

Smart Technologies has released version 11 of its collaborative learning tool, Smart Notebook. The company has also released an update to Smart Response and 3D Tools for Mac OS X.

Smart Notebook is a standards-aligned collaborative learning tool that operates in conjunction with Smart interactive whiteboards. It provides access to curricular resources--Flash objects, videos, images, and other elements--and tools like an object animator, shape recognizer, and recorder.

The new version, Smart Notebook 11, gains a new browser that allows users to embed live Web pages directly within a Smart Notebook page. It also includes tools that let users annotate over those embedded pages and open the embedded page from within a lesson.

In addition, the new version includes a contextual toolbar that changes with each tool that's selected. And it adds a new activity builder that allows objects to "react to actions by accepting or rejecting other objects or by triggering animations or sound."

Other new features include:

A crayon-like drawing tool;
Customizable, image-based pens;
Audio recording directly into a Smart Notebook lesson;
Revert page;
Improved text formatting; and
Support for a new gesture that allows users to shake objects to create or release groups.

Smart has also updated Smart Response assessment software, which works with Smart's student response systems. Smart Response 2012 (version 4.0.249.0) offers "improved tagging and reporting based on education standards and cognitive levels," according to Smart. "It also enhances image handling and language support for Smart Response VE, which supports students who use Internet-enabled mobile devices."

Other new features include support for Mac OS X Lion, support for multiple receivers to connect more devices in a single class, and the ability to manage multiple device types.

Smart has also made 3D Tools for Smart Notebook available for Mac OS X.

Additional details and links to update information can be found on Smart Technologies' support site. Smart Notebook toolbar widgets can be downloaded from the Smart Exchange site.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .

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