Smart Technologies Inc. introduces new developments for the Smart Notebook 11 platform. These new improvements — meant to enhance compatibility, content development, content delivery and the ease of collaboration — are applicable to the Smart Notebook 11 collaborative learning software.

The Smart Notebook Interactive Viewer software lets users download a free basic version of Smart Notebook to access the software offline. With this new interactive viewer, users can now view Smart Notebook software pages without using an interactive whiteboard. Those with this new software can interact with Smart Notebook pages with digital ink and access flash content and page recordings. In addition, users now have the option of using a variety of animations activities and widgets.

Along with the new interactive viewer, Smart has also introduced a new Linux version of their Smart Notebook 11 software, which enables users to access the Smart Notebook platform with Linux-based technologies. This new version of Smart Notebook 11 supports embedded Web browsers, as well as widgets and multi-touch and gesture recognition for Microsoft Windows and Mac operating systems using the Smart Notebook 11 software development kit (SDK).

The Smart Notebook 11 platform is the first to use Interactive Whiteboard/ Common File Format v1.0 conformance—an attribute that, as Smart states, is efficient in making the Smart Notebook 11 platform conformant to an array of options for content access and functionality.

The more compatible Smart Notebook 11 software is designed to give educators more options when integrating whiteboard and tablet technologies in the classroom. With the recent updates to the Smart Notebook 11 software, teachers now have access to more features than with the older version of Smart Notebook 11.

One of the new enhancements for the Smart Notebook 11 software is an app that allows users to access Smart software on an iPad — mimicking interactive whiteboard on a more local, small group level.

With this newly localized access to Smart Notebook software, educators and students now have more options regarding personalized apps and plug-ins for user friendly classroom enhancement. The 3D Tools for Smart Notebook is a plug-in that allows users to edit and transfer 3D content exclusively on a smart device; there is no need for external hardware and it is compatible with handheld technology. Smart Notebook Math Tools is a plug-in that allows users to create mathematical content and graph digitally while using interactive Smart Notebook lesson activities. Also, with Smart Express Web application, users can share, open and edit content all on a lightweight online version of Smart Notebook software. Plus, educators have access to around 60,000 learning resources while using the newly developed Smart Exchange online website.

The new Smart Notebook 11 Interactive Viewer and the Linux version of Smart Notebook 11 software will be available in Q3 of 2012.