Cheap Whiteboard with Wii remote

[Addict]

Has anyone seen this? I thought it was a pretty cool hack (if you have a nintendo wii)

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[Chef Dave]

Has anyone seen what?

I'm looking at a blank white screen.

[Addict]

Odd. You can't see it? It is a YouTube Video.

[mopar]

Wow that is pretty neat. You really should watch the video.

This guy turns his computer and his overhead projection screen into an interactive whiteboard. Its pretty amazing and definitely a few thousand dollars cheaper!

[mopar]

Maybe our schools will buy us all nintendo wiis. What great classroom games we could play.

[3rdgradeteach]

I think that is TOTALLY COOL!!! What a mind!

[Chef Dave]

Odd. You can't see it? It is a YouTube Video.

Strange ... now that I'm back home I can see it.

I'm guessing my computer at school doesn't have a video card.

[Addict]

you might not have flash player installed, Or, more likely, your school is blocking youtube :(

[busbus]

Hi,

Just viewed the video and investigated his site. Awesome!

Unfortunately, software for a Mac is still in progress. However, I've bookmarked his site. Will check back from time to time.

Thanks for the heads-up.

[dmspiel]

It looks like you dont need the wii system just the remote and they sell those separately for $20. So it would be very very cheap to make.

[Addict]

It looks like you dont need the wii system just the remote and they sell those separately for $20. So it would be very very cheap to make.

Yes! I didn't realize that the first time I watched, but it does seem that you only need the wii remote. So if you already have a computer and projector, you could just buy the remote and you are set (the pen light he makes does appear to be really simple and cheap)

If anyone does do this, be sure to share how it worked for you ;)

[Addict]

Oh, one thing I just realized is that your computer needs to have bluetooth capabilities built in - so the wii remote can communicate with your computer.

[4thgrdspedteacher]

Any ideas how to make the light pen?

I would love to do it!!!

[busbus]

Any ideas how to make the light pen?

I would love to do it!!!

Hello,

At the end of the video, Lee gives his website address where you can find the instructions. It's there. I've downloaded it and have shared with some of my tech colleagues.

Let us know how you make out. ;)

[Addict]

Here is a simple schematic:
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/projects/wii/pen.jpg

Looks like a simple trip to Radio Shack could get it taken care of. Looks like I would buy:

1. AA battery
2. 1.5v Tolerant LED
3. A small momentary switch
4. Small piece of wire.

Use a bic pen housing to hold the wire, tape a battery to it and connect the wires.

I didn't see a Wii remote for $20 anywhere - I think they are more like $40. And don't forget the need for Bluetooth on your computer - unless I missed a different method of communicating with the Wii remote.

Here is Johnny Lee's site:

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/projects/wii/

[Boxcar]

That is pretty neat.

[Flipp]

This looks like fun! Maybe I can piece one together over spring break!

[dnstrot]

It looks like you dont need the wii system just the remote and they sell those separately for $20. So it would be very very cheap to make.

I can't wait to tell my professor. I'm in an educational technology Master's Program and we're trying to figure out different ways to incorporate current technology into the curriculum. This is awesome!!

[Bob]

As a newby I don't want to get kicked out on my first posting. I stumbled on this forum when googling for "whiteboard forum". I am a tech at an elementary school and built some of the wiimote whiteboards for teachers. They love them. However and it is a big however. There is a conflict. Since I am not setup as a vendor, I cannot sell them to the district to recoup my expense. In Florida, teachers (like many states) have little of their own funds to spend. I provided one to a 3rd grade teacher to try and she let her students use it for a week. They loved it. It is easy to use and works with any software. They used it with sites like yahoo - bookworm etc. I highly recommend that you talk to a school computer tech about getting the needed software on your computer. That is the only thing to figure out. I think any teacher who makes the effort to search for extra tools to help students should be rewarded.

[Bob]

By the way, a solution to the infrared pointer is to replace the bulb in a keychain light. Johnny Lee's sight recommends the best bulb.

[smithmt]

Oh Man!!! That Sooo Rocks!

[hweber]

Wow, I think I will turn my 17 year old loose on this and see if he can build it. I cannot wait.

[MrVaughan]

wowow this is really cool I am def going to do it. where the link for the software again??? will any blue tooth reader work?

[Drey]

That is an amazing idea. I will definetely let others know about this, and possibly use it the next chance I get.

[hweber]

has anyone done this???

[luv2teachsped]

What a great idea! But you do have to have a white board. I was told NO whiteboard for my classroom as they are too expensive. I am planning on purchasing a 4x8 sheet of tile board and mounting it directly on my wall. Anyone have any luck with this cheap version of a whiteboard. I really don't care if it doesn't last for years and years, hopefully my district will someday think that Spec. ed classrooms need whiteboards too! LOL
Thanks

[Addict]

Keep in mind that your computer must have a bluetooth connection on it. I was going to try it. Maybe I can video tape it...