2. THE WII INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARD
 It originated from Johnny Chung Lee in 2007
 It is based on the high-performance infra-red
camera on the top of the Wii remote
 The infra-red camera tracks the tip of an infra-red
light source (the infra-red pen)

3. PROJECT OBJECTIVE
 The aim:
 To show how to make your own interactive white board (IWB)
 Spreading the knowledge of open source educational
software that can be used with you IWB
 Levelling the playing field with inexpensive technologies
that can be provided for all
 Promoting Interactive Teaching concepts that can be
used to innovate learning

4. CONTENTS
 Objective of the presentation
 How it works
 What you need
 How to make an IR pen
 Different IR pen designs
 Wii remote
 Software for Windows and Ubuntu
 Free available software
 Teachers portal
 Future of the project

5. HOW IT WORKS
 The infra-red camera in the Wii remote tracks the
light source of the IR pen.
 The location of the IR light source is sent via
Bluetooth to the computer
 This is shown on the computer as the location of
the mouse

6. Projector
Wii
Remote
Computer
Projected
Screen
IR Pen

7. HOW TO MAKE YOU OWN PEN
 This can be done easily provided you buy the
correct Infrared LED
 Use an empty whiteboard marker case and a
battery if available
 IR LED VISHAY TSAL6400 (available in SA)
 Key Ring version

8. DIFFERENT TYPES OF IR PENS AND COSTS
 There are two types of IR pens
 Pressure tip
 Manual Click
 Preferred – the manual click
 Home made keying version
 Cost of IR pen for UK 6 Pounds - R68

9. HOW TO SET IT UP
 With a normal setup, you want you Wii remote to be
situated either on the left or right side, depending
on the user
 When you write, you will block the shadow
 Wii remote have a 45 degree angle
 Positioning will require some trial and error
 Calibrate IR pen with 4 point touch

10. LAYOUT

11. WHAT YOU NEED
 Standard computer (does not have to be new)
 Projector (or large screen)
 Nintendo Wii Remote
 Infra-red Pen
 Bluetooth Dongle (if pc does not support Bluetooth)
 Software to connect to the Wii Remote

12. OPERATING SYSTEMS
 The free software available does work on all
operating systems
 Windows and Ubuntu versions most common
 Mac versions do exist, but not as popular
 Both have different aspects which are useful
 Windows – smooth board, linkivity presenter
 Ubuntu - Wii Whiteboard, Built-in educational software

13. WHITEBOARD AND WII MOTE SOFTWARE
 The Wii mote software:
 connects the computer to the Wii remote control.
 It calibrates the IR pen to work as a mouse
 E.g. Pentabulous, Wii Mote Whiteboard
 The Whiteboard software:
 This creates a virtual whiteboard for you to write on
 It has the pens, highlighters, erasers and tools
 E.g. Linktivity Presenter, Smooth board

14. PENTABULOUS (WINDOWS)
 Free windows based software used to
implement the IWB with a Wii remote
 User Friendly, easy to use
 Occasionally temperamental, but
works well
 Recommended open-source option
 for windows

15. LINKTIVITY PRESENTER (WINDOWS)
 Freeware software that allows you to draw, highlight
and write on your screen
 Highly recommended for use in Windows
environment
 Has a screenshot function and shapes
 Is not as effective as the commercial alternative -
Smooth board

16. SMOOTH BOARD (WINDOWS)
 Windows based
 Created by Boon Jin
 Cost $30 for a licence
 Demo version works well
 Easy to use and stable

17. WII WHITE BOARD (UBUNTU)
 Program that can facilitate connection of a Wii
remote to make a IWB
 Easy to use and self explanatory
 Can remember Calibration
 Right-Click delay
 Recommended open-source version for Ubuntu

18. MASSIVE BOARD (JAVA)
 Whiteboard software – Ubuntu
 Easy to use, no smoothing
 Offers highlighting, different size nibs
 Best open source option for Ubuntu

19. USB BOOTABLE UBUNTU
 Put the flash drive in and boot off it
 Contains great free games and teachers tools
 Tux Paint, Tux Math, Graphing Software
 Built in Software including smart board bootable
 No cost of operating system and theoretically easiest
install
 Convenient for substitutes teachers and for security
 Customize your workspace and carry it around
 Netbook version perfect for IWB interface

20. TEACHERS PORTAL
 http://www.livingmaths.com/teachers/teachlinks.html
 Portal full of links for teachers
 Interactive Games
 Interactive Concepts – specific web links that assist in
teaching concepts using a an IWB
 Work in Progress

21. ADVANTAGES
 Cost significantly less than the commercial IWB
 Allows for Interactive whiteboard lessons without a
commercial
 Allows for portability between classrooms
 Can work on a screen as well as a projector
 Can operate on any flat surface
 Future development of multipoint pens
 Open Source development constantly improving

22. DISADVANTAGES
 Not as smooth to write on as commercial IWBs
(exception of smooth board at $29 per license)
 Will require the use of batteries for Wii remote
 Issue of blocking the IR pen while writing
 Bluetooth issues

23. WHERE FROM HERE
 The future of this project is unclear
 Potential implementation into underprivileged
school
 A viable alternative if the cost of a commercial IWB
is too high
 Constantly improving technology

24. MORE INFORMATION
 www.livingmaths.com - Teachers
 Wii Whiteboard PowerPoint, and pdf
 Links to all interactive concepts, games and more
 Constantly growing resources available at no cost
 Spread the idea and promote innovative
technologies that you can make youself

25. THANK YOU