Boardmaker does not always honor your printer’s defaults.
Even experienced users make these mistakes when deploying their "finish Boardmaker" systems.
Error 1: Overusing the Symbol If you put a "Finish" card on every single step of a 10-step task analysis, the symbol loses its power. Reserve "Finish" for the terminal step of a sequence only.
Error 2: Forgetting the Visual Timer A "Finish" card is a spatial boundary, not a temporal one. For students who struggle with time, a "Finish" card is frustrating because they don't know when it will happen. Pair the Boardmaker card with a sand timer or a visual countdown strip. finish boardmaker
Error 3: Inconsistent Language Do not say "We're all done" while pointing to the "Finish" card. The symbol says "Finish." The teacher must say "Finish." Consistency in vocabulary is essential for literacy and generalization.
In Boardmaker 7 (or the older Boardmaker Online), the standard "Finish" icon is typically categorized under:
Pro Tip: Do not confuse "Finish" with "Stop." The "Stop" symbol (usually a red octagon) implies an immediate cessation of movement. The "Finish" symbol implies the natural conclusion of a sequence. Boardmaker does not always honor your printer’s defaults
Don't just rely on autosave.
Pro tip: Save a master editable copy, then export a flattened PDF to prevent accidental changes.
If you want a digital finished activity (drag-and-drop, speak buttons, etc.): Pro Tip: Do not confuse "Finish" with "Stop
Print the "Finish" symbol on heavy cardstock. Laminate it. Place a strip of hard Velcro on the back. Attach this to the student's desk or a transition lanyard. When the student feels overwhelmed, they pull the "Finish" card off the Velcro and hand it to the teacher. This is a self-advocacy masterpiece.
Finishing the digital file is step one. Finishing the tool is step two.