Wii-White Board

Introduction

Our project consists of creating an interactive board without the actual use of an expensive smart board. Our project will make it possible for many more classrooms to have use of an interactive board without the cost of an expensive piece of technology.

Procedure

The following pieces of equipment are essential:

- Computer + Bluetooth + download of a free program (Blue Soleil)
- Wii remote
- Projector
- Infrared pens

As computers and projectors are already available readily around school, the only extra hardware that needs to be purchased is a Nintendo Wii remote and infrared pens. These items will cost no more than €50.

Initially, you need to set up your computer and projector with projector facing onto a white surface. Your will need certain software installed on your computer to allow the device to function correctly. You will need a program called Blue Soleil, which allows the Wii remote to connect to the computer; you will also need another piece of software called Wii remote white board calibration software. This piece of software enables the Wii remote to locate the infrared signals given off by the pen on the wall. Now you can connect the Wii remote via Bluetooth to the computer. Once connected, position the remote facing the same way as the white surface, usually it works well positioned on top of the projector. Finally, using the downloaded software you can calibrate the system. You can adjust the setting so that the Wii mote can accurately locate the position of the infrared pen.

Conclusion

We gathered together existing hardware and software to transform any wall in our school into an interactive surface which has 80% of the functionality for 1% of the cost of an interactive smartboard.