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Using Wii Remote as an Interactive Whiteboard.

January 7th, 2009 · 6 Comments

I recently recieved an email from Bob Hill with links to blogs and youtube videos showing how a digital projector and Wii Remote can be used in the classroom to create a simple, cost reducing, interactive whiteboard. The video clip shows a teacher from Australia setting up and using the Wii Remote in his class. It all looked very simple. The basic concept is

  1. The Wii remote is a bluetooth device and can therefore connect to a PC using a Bluetooth Dongle
  2. The Wii remote senses Infrared Light Sources (the sensor bar on the Wii that sits on top of the telly actually transmits six IR lights and is not a “sensor”.
  3. Using a projector, a PC, an IR light source and some free software with a wii remote to “sense” where the light source is, a low-cost interactive whiteboard can be created.

Below I have included the other links from Bob’s email. These include links to the Johnny Lee Website, accredited with the first experiments utilising the bluetooth capabilities of a wii remote for this kind of project.

http://mrrobbo.wordpress.com/2008/12/15/the-nintendo-wiimote-video-demonstration/
http://www.youtube.com/v/FJexioRRy9M&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0
http://r1.sharedcopy.com/vq8rub5#shcp0
http://sharedcopy.com/public/users/robthill/dec+08
http://sharedcopy.com/public/users/robthill/mrrobbo.wordpress.com
http://r1.sharedcopy.com/vq8rub5
> [6] <http://mrrobbo.wordpress.com/2008/12/15/the-nintendo-wiimote-video-demonstration/>

Here are some of my own links as well.

http://wyxs.net/web/wiimote/digital_whiteboard.html#r1

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd3-eiid-Uw

http://johnnylee.net

Using these links I have started to investigate the creation of the “cheap” interactive whiteboard. I am now in possession of two IR pens, constructed by myself (I have the scarring to prove it), and have downloaded some of the free software. I look forward to investigating further and seeing how this can be utilised in an educational context. I will add another post when I have had a more detailed look at the software. In the meantime if anyone is interested in this project please feel free to contact me and I will be more than willing discuss any problems I have encountered and how I overcame these.

Ian Cameron, ian.cameron@dundeecity.gov.uk

Tags: Curriculum for Excellence · Future Technologies · interactive technology · whiteboards

6 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Dave t // Jan 7, 2009 at 9:35 pm

    We set three of these up in Physics, Modern Studies and my own classroom in English last year. Work very well and since we’ve got some airliner slates as well then Smart let us use the software on the wiimote “boards” for free.

    Pens are available on eBay UK for about £6.

  • 2 Dave t // Jan 7, 2009 at 9:37 pm

    Forgot to add: DON’T use Johnny Lee’s software – he admits it is faulty and very limited. Instead go to boonjin.com and download the free software there. It is fantastic and shows what part of your screen is actually receiving the wiimote signal etc. Also allows you to ue it as a presentation device etc.

  • 3 icameron // Jan 12, 2009 at 12:44 pm

    Here is a link to the follow-up
    http://dc2blog.ea.dundeecity.sch.uk/ictstafftutors/2009/01/12/wiimote-as-a-whiteboard-it-works/

  • 4 icameron // Jan 12, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    You’re right Dave, Smoothboard is by far the better software. Also Check it GlovePie. It lets you use the wii remote to simulate joysticks, mice etc. Great for use with Google Earth (there is a preset program for the motion, but you have to calibrate some of the buttons).

  • 5 Robert Bauer // Feb 7, 2009 at 2:31 am

    We have trialed a Wii board with a high school science teacher and are getting ready to put a couple of units in elementary classes.

    Also have tested the Wii board with NotateIt.com software and the two clearly combine to give an equal experience to a Mimio [which also requires a stylus anyhow].

    We’re on break now, but I’m hoping the nib pressure sensitive IR pens are in when I go back on Monday.

    Am looking to correspond with anyone who has moved beyond trials and pilots with wii boards and has deployed them in many classrooms.

  • 6 EKRuckren // Oct 12, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    I ran across a cool blog about social media etc. Has some good posts.

    I think social media is changing how we communicate- what are your thoughts?

    I think there’s a lot of hype, but some real value there too.