HOW-TO: Build Your Own Interactive Wii SmartBoard

In my first year of teaching, my classroom had a touch-based interactive whiteboard. It was a great way to engage the visual learners in my class. This year, in what started out as a technologically barren classroom, I thought I would try building my own interactive whiteboard system based on the research of Johnny Chung Lee.

Modelling the construction of a triangle using the interactive ruler and protractor in Smart Notebook.

The Basics

Nintendo Wii Remote

The purpose of this setup is to allow teachers and students the opportunity to manipulate a computer using a special pen on a whiteboard. Traditional interactive whiteboards can sense the physical touch of an interactive pen. This system is not touch based, it is location based using the camera tracking system built into the end of a Nintendo Wii remote. The interactive pen projects an invisible beam of infrared light ono the whiteboard that can be tracked in space by the Wii remote. The Wii remote sends location information back to the computer allowing the interactive pen to move the mouse cursor and interact with the computer.

Required Materials:

IR Sabre infra-red pen.

• a digital projector - mirroring the display from a computer
• a computer - wirelessly connected to a Nintendo Wii remote using bluetooth
• a Nintendo Wii remote - that can see the infrared signal from an infrared pen
• an infra-red pen - used to interact with the whiteboard
• a whiteboard or projector screen - for the digital projector to display an image on
• Wiimote Whiteboard software - to connect your computer to the Wii remote

My Materials:

My Wii SmartBoard cart setup.

• BENQ digital projector (supplied by my school) $499
• MacBook laptop computer with bluetooth (my personal pc)
• Nintendo Wii Remote (I used a refurbished model from BestBuy Canada online) $29.99
• IR Sabre Infra-red Pen (purchased online) $17.99
• Whiteboard (see how I built my own whiteboard)
• Wiimote Whiteboard software for Mac

Setup Procedures:

1. Connect your computer to your digital projector via a VGA, HDMI, or my case a mini-DVI cable.
2. Check to make sure that your computer display is mirroring on your whiteboard through the projector.
3. Install and run the Wiimote Whiteboard software (PC version download / Mac version download).
4. Make sure that your computer's bluetooth is turned on.
5. Press the "1" and "2" buttons on your Wii remote. This will start the connection between your remote and computer. When your connection is successfully made, the Wiimote software will alert you.
6. Place your Wii remote in front of your whiteboard so that the front camera is facing your whiteboard. 
7. In the Wiimote software, click on "Calibrate". This will bring up a four corners calibration screen. Place the pen tip of your infra-red pen on each corner and click the pen button.
8. When calibration is complete, your system is ready to go!

Troubleshooting:

It will take some trial and error to position the Wii remote camera such that it sees the entire whiteboard surface. If you notice the remote can't detect some of the points during calibration it's likely because you need to reposition the remote.

Be patient, it takes a little time for the Wii remote to make the connection to the computer. If you are having difficulty, make sure your computer's bluetooth is enabled, the Wiimote software is open, and try pressing the red reset button located under the Wii remote's battery cover.

Tips:

• Press and hold the button on your infra-red pen to "right click".
• Stand to one side of your board so that the Wii remote can see your pen's movements without obstructions.
• You can connect another Wii remote to your setup to improve tracking resolution.
• You can install and use Smart Notebook with your setup. (Highly recommended).
• Practice using the system as much as possible before introducing it to the class. With practice, it's a fantastic interactive tool but it has a steep learning curve.
• An internet connection and speakers will bring a whole new level of appeal to your system.
• To write something, I usually load Notebook then write large, right click, select "recognize as text", then resize the text and place into position. I also have a wireless keyboard (thank you K.M.) that I pass around the room so students can input text.

Limitations:

• The Wii remote camera must be able to see the end of your infra-red pen or it will not work. This makes interacting with the board awkward at times.
• The tracking resolution is low, making it difficult to write clearly and small using the pen.

Advantages:

• Thousands cheaper than purchasing a commercial interactive whiteboard.
• Allows you to use any sort of website or application on your computer in an interactive way with your entire class.
• Using the Smart Notebook software, you can create really engaging lessons with interactive components especially in math.
• Create a technologically savvy and friendly atmosphere for your 21st century learners.

June 20, 2012 Update:

I have been using the wii board mostly for math because I have a recess break just before that period to get the board setup. I haven't figured out how to setup the board and just leave it on for the day easily without my computer going to sleep and messing it up. 

I have experienced many connection issues between the wii remote and the computer during initial setup over bluetooth using the Wiimote Whiteboard software. The issue can be fixed usually be removing the batteries from the remote and then restarting the software. 

My class loves the interactive board; it took them a while to get used to how it works and its quirks but I really think that its visual and interactive features make learning much more engaging. If your school has the money for "the real thing" I say go for it, but if you can't afford the many thousands of dollars to install a real interactive bard then the Wii remote option is viable if you are comfortable with computers.