One downside to Macs is that they’re still not perfect compatibility-wise. On my last placement the school had interactive whiteboards that were several years-old (outrageously out of date). Their website says that they’re supposed to be compatible with Macs… but try as I might, it just wasn’t happening. My first thought (you can see where this is going can’t you?) was to jump off a bridge in frustration. But, more importantly, my second thought was dedicated to Johnny Lee’s Wiimote Whiteboard.
In case you’ve been living in a cave (or simply have a life) here’s some video links about the Wiimote Whiteboard. In essence, it’s a way to make your own cost-effective interactive whiteboard using a Wiimote and a DIY infrared pen.
...so £30 + £5 = £2000?
Now I’m personally too lazy to make my own infrared pen (plus I don’t know what radioshack is), but I bought a very nice one from some chaps in Dover. If you’re thinking of doing this yourself I can recommend these guys. I also had to get some software before it would work. There are many different applications (free applications) floating around, but I’ve had the most luck with this cross-platform Java version. The (free) software basically allows you to connect and calibrate your Wiimote. My Mac already had built-in bluetooth, so there was no need for me to get an adapter.
- You can try it yourself at home! (if you really, really have nothing else to do)
It worked great! I spent the rest of my placement trying to hide the Wiimote from the kids every time I taught. Plus I was able to use it with the Smartboard software that I was given by my Uni. All that for the fraction of the cost of an interactive whiteboard. In a lot of ways it’s better than an ordinary interactive whiteboard since you can write on any surface, whether it be a projected image or a TV.
However, it’s not perfect unfortunately. Firstly, the Wiimote needs turning on every time you want to use it. For me this meant taking it off the projector, getting it connected, putting it back up again and re-calibrating (because it had moved). It’s also not as precise as a conventional interactive whiteboard. Drawing and writing can therefore produce slightly squiggly lines as opposed to smooth ones.
Although, for under 5% of the price, I think I’ll manage.
Photos by jisc_infonet, maury.mccown and Adam Melancon
Absolutly Genious!