The title says it all: How to access and set up your very own copy of the easiest and best whiteboarding software ever!
Tag: xorro workbook
1.01 What Workbook can do
Sped-up impression of activities using Workbook / AlphaTeach 1.8
New Xorro Workbook 2.2 Supports PDF Import
This week Xorro releases version 2.2 of its Workbook whiteboarding software, co-branded Alphateach in the UK and Europe. The new version includes features such as PDF import, enhanced design of the ruler tool, added grid functions and much more.
Workbook whiteboarding software combines the simplicity and ease of use we all love from whiteboards, with the productivity benefits of your computer.
… PDF Import …
New in version 2.2 is the opportunity to import a PDF document into the Workbook. Users can choose to import the entire document, or just selected pages. These are inserted into the page backgrounds in Workbook. Users can then freely annotate, marking up and editing as they see fit. The completed Workbook can of course be saved and exported in a variety of formats, as before.
… Improved Ruler …
Maths and Geography educators will particularly welcome the change to Workbook’s ruler function.
Workbook’s ruler is perfect for supporting a wide range of geometry and map interpretation activities. Previously the ruler’s rotation was about its centre point. In Workbook v2.2 the ruler is rotated about an origin at one end. The line drawing function performs just as it did before. Because rotation degrees (and extension distance) are reported on the ruler while it’s being used, this effectively makes it a combination drawing tool, scaling tool and protractor!
… and more!
As usual, a wide range of lesser improvements and remedies are also included in version 2.2. For example, previously users have been frustrated by not being able to print a background grid; this is now enabled. Other improvements are too numerous to list here but are reported on the update versions page.
Enjoy the above, and more by updating to Workbook v2.2!
(See Workbook Support to confirm your entitlement to continuing Workbook updates or to update your support plan).Xorro Workbook 2 arrives: Get it here!
This week, after months of beta testing and progressive improvements of Workbook 2, Xorro finally released this latest version (2.0) of the powerful whiteboarding software Workbook (alternately branded Alphateach).
Workbook was originally writen by 2Touch Technologies for use with 2Touch interactive whiteboards. Today Xorro Workbook is used on any interactive device, as well as with stand-alone computers: in fact anywhere that the freeedom of a whiteboarding solution is valued. The v2 release provides many new features and improvements, as well as incorporating resolutions for numerous bugs. It’s faster, more reliable, better presented…. in short: Workbook 2 is a very compelling upgrade for all users.
Instructions on where to get Workbook 2 are at the foot of this page…. Scroll down!
Here’s a short list of the more obvious changes:
- Comprehensive visual enhancements of the user interface, particularly menus, icons & toolbars.
- Extended support for alternative regional settings.
- New languages: Italian & French; updates on all other languages.
- New Isometric 30 degree and 60 degree grids.
- Snap to grid extended to selectable snapping coordinates (choose centre or any of 4 corners of grid).
- Improvements to Compass: Remember radius option; also improved performance.
- Option to launch videos on external player (similar to external browser selection).
- Change multi-select key from <SHIFT> to <CTRL> to be consistent with standards.
- Stamps can now be added to Custom Toolbars; incorporate your favourites for instant access!
- Support for A3 printing.
- Save to default location (previously Workbook prompted to save to last used location)
- Updated End User License Agreement
- Improvements to Grouping and Layering
- Improvements to PDF export
- Improvements to Page Sorter
- Improvements to SMART Notebook and .iwb file import support
- Improved intergration to Xorro-Q Launcher for audience participation from browsers
- Improved integration to Xorro-Ed resource community
- Improvements to proxy handling
- Improvements to Resource Finder to adapt to recent changes in YouTube and Flickr APIs
To update to Workbook 2 (or Alphateach 2):
From within Workbook (or Alphateach):
In Help menu, select “Check for updates”. On discovery of the new version, select “Download from website” link. Launch the downloaded installer and follow the instructions. All of your previous settings will be remembered. Enjoy!
If you don’t have Workook yet:
Browse to http://update.xorro.com
Enter your email address and register if you’re a new user. Workbook will install as a free 30 day trial until you enter your Customer Key.
Contact us to organise an on-line demonstration
6.12 Simple Sentence Maker
A simple Sentence Maker activity for your interactive whiteboard or display, using Xorro Workbook / AlphaTeach.
6.15 Manzana Tips: Everyday Calendar
Video on how to create a calendar for use on an interactive whiteboard or display. Uses Workbook / AlphaTeach.
3.20 Working with Pages
On the Page Sorter, each page thumbnail offers a menu through which you can access a number of page formatting options. You can right-click on the thumbnail, or just click on the down-arrow in the upper right corner of the thumbnail to access this menu of options. Using this menu you ca adjust page size and orientation, background colour (or image i background), set grids and switch them on or off, clear pages of any content, and delete pages altogether from the Workbook.
3.27 Page Backgrounds
Video demonstration on how to set the page background…. Backgrounds can be coloured, and they may have an image applied to them in various ways. Putting items in the background means they cannot be changed by mistake while using the canvas. Grids can be sued as well as backgrounds.
4.5 Stamps
Select and use stamps such as tick marks, crosses, happy faces etc, to instantly apply frequently symbols onto the canvas. Drag them to create “magic pen” like streams of your chosen stamp. Great to apply speech bubbles, highlight key items, mark right / wrong etc.
4.4 Built-in Web Browser
The built-in (“internal”) web browser in Workbook / AlphaTeach makes it even easier to integrate web presented materials with your classroom activities. You can manage the view easily, and write or draw over the top of the web page without having to move away from your Workbook whiteboard page. Perhaps best of all for those interactive pages, you can take snapshots to record your progress, and build them up as a “stack” or a storyboard for later….
3.21 Page Size & Orientation
Learn how to adjust page properties including size and orientation (portrait versus landscape) in Xorro Workbook / AlphaTeach.
3.25 Extending the Page
Got to the bottom of the page, and still want more? I nstantly add more room at the bottom of your Workbook / AlphaTeach page with page extend
4.8 Image Tools: Cropping
Since you’ll be using images a lot in your whiteboarding, it’s only right that Workbook / AlphaTeach will offer some tools which give you a bit more control. This video demonstrates how to crop a selected image using the cropping tool.
3.01 Opening Workbook Files
Opening a pre-existing Workbook file from within Workbook.
3.12 Writing and Drawing
Whiteboards are for ink, right? Use Workbook / AlphaTeach to empower your digital whiteboarding. Learn how to set up and use different “pens” (buttons” for different types or colours of lines. Learn about erasing. See how to convert your handwriting into text.
