Getting started with your Promethean ActivPanel
Four guided sessions covering the features kaiako reach for every day, from powering on for the first time to running a fully interactive lesson.
The Promethean ActivPanel runs on ActivPanel OS, a purpose-built education platform that works with both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. It is one of the most teacher-friendly panels on the market, designed specifically for classroom use rather than adapted from corporate meeting room tech.
Work through these sections in order if this is your first week with the panel. If you are returning for a specific feature, jump straight to the section you need. Videos will be added here shortly. In the meantime, contact David for hands-on support.
Powering on and the ActivPanel home screen
The ActivPanel home screen is designed around how teachers actually work. You will find your most-used apps front and centre, with quick access to your Google or Microsoft account. This section covers powering on, signing in, and getting your bearings before the class walks in.
Video coming soon. Contact David at david@edtex.co.nz for hands-on support.
What to know
- The power button is on the side of the panel. A short press wakes it; holding for three seconds shuts it down cleanly.
- Sign in with your school Google or Microsoft account to access Drive, OneDrive, and your saved content.
- The ActivPanel Launcher shows your pinned apps. Customise it so your most-used tools are always one tap away.
Connecting your device and casting wirelessly
Whether you are using a school laptop, personal device, or tablet, there are several ways to get your screen onto the ActivPanel. The easiest is ScreenShare, Promethean's built-in wireless casting tool that works without installing extra software. This section shows you each option and when to use which.
Video coming soon. Contact David at david@edtex.co.nz for hands-on support.
What to know
- ScreenShare works via browser on any device. No app needed. Open the URL shown on screen and you are connected.
- HDMI is the most reliable backup. Keep a cable to hand for days when wireless is congested.
- Student casting works too, useful for sharing student work with the class without passing cables around.
Using the whiteboard and annotation tools
The ActivPanel Whiteboard is one of Promethean's strongest features and a key reason many schools choose it over competitors. The Vellum writing engine makes handwriting feel natural, ink recognition is sharp, and notes can be saved directly to Google Drive or OneDrive. This section covers annotating over apps, using the full whiteboard, and saving your work.
Video coming soon. Contact David at david@edtex.co.nz for hands-on support.
What to know
- You can annotate over any app without leaving what you are presenting. Pull up the annotation toolbar from the sidebar.
- The Vellum engine distinguishes between pen and finger, so your hand resting on the screen will not create marks.
- Whiteboard sessions save automatically when you are signed in. You can pick up where you left off the next day.
Everyday tools: freeze, split screen, and the quick toolbar
These are the features that make a real difference mid-lesson once the basics are comfortable. Freeze locks the board while you navigate privately or manage the class. Split screen lets you show two things at once. The ActivPanel quick toolbar puts your most-used tools within one tap, without leaving what you are presenting.
Video coming soon. Contact David at david@edtex.co.nz for hands-on support.
What to know
- Freeze from the quick toolbar at the bottom edge. The class sees a static screen while you work privately on your connected device.
- Split screen is useful for compare-and-contrast tasks: two websites, a video alongside a document, or student work side by side.
- Customise the quick toolbar with the apps you reach for most. It is one of the most effective setup steps you can do.