The font you choose to display text is as important as the voice you use when you speak to your students. As teachers, you might have special fonts for handwriting or special education needs that you would like to use within ActivInspire. All the fonts on your computer are automatically available within ActivInspire. Follow these steps to add fonts to your computer keeping in mind, ActivInspire should be closed while this process is taking place.
Adding a font to a Windows machine:
Download the font files. These often come compressed in .zip folders. In one .zip folder, you might find several variations on the same font, such as “light” and “heavy.” A .zip folder usually looks like this:
If the font files are zipped, unzip them by right-clicking the .zip folder and then clicking Extract All. Choose the folder and extract. Now you’ll see the available TrueType and OpenType font files:
Right-click the fonts you want to use, and click Install.
If you’re prompted to allow the program to make changes to your computer, and if you trust the source of the font, click Yes. Your new fonts will appear in the fonts list in Word.
Here are two other ways to install and manage fonts:
- All fonts are stored in the C:\Windows\Fonts folder. You can also add fonts by simply dragging font files from the extracted files folder into this folder. Windows will automatically install them. If you want to see what a font looks like, open the Fonts folder, right-click the font file, and then click Preview.
- Another way to see your installed fonts is through Control Panel. In Windows 7 and Windows 10, go to Control Panel > Fonts. In Windows 8.1, go to Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Fonts.
Adding a font to an Apple iOS machine:
After downloading the desired font, double-click the font in the Finder, then click Install Font in the font preview window that opens. After your Mac validates the font and opens the Font Book app, the font is installed and available for use.
You can use Font Book preferences to set the default install location, which determines whether the fonts you add are available to other user accounts on your Mac.
Fonts that appear dimmed in Font Book are either disabled (“Off”), or are additional fonts available for download from Apple. To download the font, select it and choose Edit > Download.
Using in ActivInspire
Once the fonts are installed on your machine, they are available for use within ActivInspire. There are so many uses for special fonts in ActivInspire as you design and deliver engaging and interactive lessons. If you are looking for pre-created ActivInspire flipcharts or are in need of inspiration for creating your own, visit the Promethean Resource Library to search a vast database of flipcharts. Remember, created content in ActivInspire can also be presented in ClassFlow and receive real-time formative assessment from students using polling. ActivInpsire also allows importing of other presentation software programs, giving multiple ways to increase participation.
Extend your learning:
- ActivInspire courses
- Become a Promethean Certified Teacher
- Are you just getting started with ActivInspire? Try these 10 Easy and Effective ActivInspire Tips, Tricks, and Tools
