interactive whiteboard created from Nintendo Wiimote, LED, and freesoftware

[Derriock]

Hello,
I have a question.
Some interactive boards provide mouse emulation using a pen that constantly transmits an electromagnetic (EM) field to receptors in the board. The EM field provides continuity of movement instead of causing the cursor to hop from one touch to the next.
This EM field projection allows users to hover over an icon without selecting it. Exactly as if a mouse was used. Hovering does not select the icon and allows time for the ubequitous pop-up balloons to define the icon underneath instead of blindly tapping the board and launching the wrong command.
With touch sensitive technologies a trial-and-error technique is required to navigate through new, unfamiliar or forgotten programs until a working knowledge of commands and features merges with hazily remembered instructions.
With the cost of a projector and less than $100 a valid subsitute for touch boards can be created. Below is a link to a site that gives the simple building instructions for a low-cost substitute touch boards.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/projects/wii/
With a wireless projector the entire setup can be synched to a laptop computer for pack-and-go operations.

So my question is, "How is your board different from a $40 Nintendo wiimote, free software, and a USB Bluetooth adapter?"

[davidlloyd]

That's such a facile question but I suggest you contact your local Promethean reseller and ask for a demonstration which will give you a taster of the differences.

[LisaD]

I would have to agree. While the Activboard does allow for easy mouse-like rollovers versus a touch sensitive board, the board itself is not the "thing." It's really the overall Activclassroom solution that differentiates it from other boards or some device that allows for wireless mouse capabilities.

There is a video I have seen that gives a nice overview of the entire Activclassroom: Activboard, Activslate, Activstudio or Activprimary and Activotes.

While this video needs "updating" you may find it helpful. See:

http://www.Prometheanworld.com/us/server/show/ConWebDoc.4286

I would have to agree that if you just want to remotely use basic tools like a pen or drive websites, then there are much cheaper alternatives. But this solution is more about student learning and enabling teachers to create engaging activities that encourage active participation.

There are many other videos from various viewpoints (mostly teachers!) to explore as well. See:
http://www.Prometheanworld.com/us/server/show/nav.4957

The last thing I would like to add is the power of the software. Both Activstudio and Activprimary are NOT presentation tools! They are lesson development and delivery tools. The thousands of resources that come with the software are so valuable in saving teachers time in creating lessons (not presentations or simple writing on a whitespace) and Promethean Planet gives teachers a quick way to gain access to thousands of lessons as well as thousands of additional resources developed for teaching!

So it's not about the board at all (in my opinion!)

Lisa

[Derriock]

Lisa,

The free software is basically the device manager and takes the input from the Wiimote and plots the point. Other software is good and free. A friend of mine uses Interwrite software on his Macintosh and he just downloaded it from their website.

[Derriock]

Where can I get an actual demo of the software like I can for Interwrite. From your videos I can't tell what is your software and what are just the options of your software being used on other software.

[LisaD]

I applaud you for wanting to conduct a thorough evaluation.

Here are some ideas:

You might want to contact your local reseller to come show you the software (solution.) If you're from Scottsdale, I would assume that is Arizona in the US?

To find out who the the local guys are, you may want to call the Promethean US headquarters to find out who the reseller is. I think the number is 1-888-652-2848.

Or...another idea...perhaps contact the local Promethean TLC (Teaching and Learning Consultant). These folks are definitely experts in the use of Activstudio! All former classroom teachers as well!

To see a TLC locator map, click:
http://www.Prometheanplanet.com/us/server/show/nav.938

Some other areas where you can see the software in action are the sample lessons (video) in Curriculum Corner.

See:
http://www.Prometheanplanet.com/us/server/show/nav.1793

Or the Activtips:
http://www.Prometheanplanet.com/us/server/show/nav.1252

I'm pretty confident that you will find Promethean's software to be the most fully-featured and definitely the most well-thoughtout for education!

Check out these links as well that you may find helpful as you do your research.

eSchoolNews article 1 (http://www.eschoolnews.com/search/?id=50554;_hbguid=7565b092-269f-42fb-aa33-8d5bebb3a2f7)

eSchoolNews article 2- whiteboard evaluation (http://http://www.eschoolnews.com/search/?id=36656;_hbguid=ee3a1b8c-49f2-4cf5-96cc-6e5cf728fb29)

Hope this helps.

Lisa

[seabass]

Derriock, although you can download the software from interwrite from the website, if your friend or you are using it without an interwrite product then you are breaking their license agreement, I just downloaded it and when you instll if you read the license agreement the first few paragraphs say:

The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed, not sold, only for personal use in connection with Interwrite Learning products.

So I'd suggest you might want to uninstall and let your friend know he cant use it unless he has an Interwrite board.

This is the main reason for choosing a product from a company like promethean rather than making the board yourself, it's also the extra stuff you get like technical support, training services and communities like this one

[L3AV]

I am with Level 3 Audio Visual, the reseller partner of Promethean products in Arizona. I would be happy to demonstrate the board and software for you.
Are you at Scottsdale USD? If so, we have installed some Activboards at a few of the campuses within the last few months.
I have found that schools are choosing Promethean over other solutions because of the depth of the software, the online resources, and the amount of training and support that is offered both online and face-to-face.
I look forward to your reply!!

[psimpson]

If not much is happening commercially over the Christmas period in AZ, you could in the first instance download one of our flipchart viewers at the following link:-
http://www.Prometheanworld.com/us/server/show/ConWebDoc.3033
and also a flipchart which will give you an idea of the capabilities of the software:-
http://www.Prometheanplanet.com/us/server/show/nav.802

I copied and pasted the above link whilst logged in. You will probably have to register.

Phil Simpson
Hardware Product Manager

[AirSkeeter]

Basically doing the same as a gyro mouse or bluetooth mouse which is a manufactured technology as opposed to a hodge pog with no real software designed for it's use and support.

Take away the ability to interact with the board which brings the tactile use in for kinesthetic learners, over 15,000 resources supplied, free online lessons, tech support, online collaboration, SD, and all of the other pluses, and you have n ACTIVboard.

Unfortunately, reducing the concept ACTIVclassroom to a commodity is not possible in the context of an average classroom and does not serve the classroom teacher well.

I am sure Jeff Nowakowski, my counterpart in AZ can help you out.

I applaud the nature of discovery of the young man and that is what great minds do, but it has a long way to being a viable technology for the classroom.

I do like the implications for a assistive technology device!!!

[markrobinson]

The sensors that Nintendo license only operate at around 30Hz at most and are prone to interference.... I have been testing this and another method using it as a pointer (like a gyromouse) over Xmas. Even simple shapes like circles come out as a polygons if drawn at normal speeds.... It has not been optimised in any way for writing and pixel resolution - only rough pointing for games (but what cool games though!)

It has way, way too many issues to be a realistic option in an IWB context - and even then with the serious R&D to improve performance (and where you see the real customer costs) it would only be the same as one of the other older products that products like Promethean's have displaced/replaced and vastly enhanced.

BUT.......

For the musicians and music teachers out there though - it can also be tied to MIDI synthesiser interfaces to make a virtual theremin - so as you tilt and move it - it alters pitch and volume, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N-LpbXF33g

and this is the free MAC software that makes it work...

http://www.osculator.net/wiki/

Make any kid a musician with that!

For Science and technology as well as computer science teachers the wiimote is a useful data generating peripheral and can be bound to PCs with Bluetooth and linked to data logging software. Now that is a bargain!!!!!! - Similar data logging ed. tech would cost $300-400

Free software like Darwiin lets you get to all the sensors and buttons.

http://www.wiili.org/index.php/DarwiinRemote (MAC)
http://onakasuita.org/ (PC) - You can really see how slow and awkward it is here trying to work as a mouse...

Things you could make - a remote controller for a Lego robot, motion sensors on a model space vehicle to simulate a space mission with detailed telemetry beamed back wirelessly, a distance measuring device (it can triangulate distance using a pair/array of IR transmitting LEDs), etc, etc.