Wii Want Whiteboards! Well, Wii’ll See (Part 3)

In my last blog entry, I outlined and affirmed the work of Johnny Lee, a Ph.D. candidate from Carnegie Melon University who is developing inexpensive whiteboard technology. Lee is literally giving away the schematics and video tutorials. The basis of Lee's technology is a remote controller from the Nintendo Wii, a popular gaming system.

Wii Live in the Real World

The purpose of this multi-part series is to investigate the feasibility of creating a Nintendo Wii Whiteboard. Can an English teacher with no formal computer training (beyond what I've picked up by picking other people's brains) create an interactive whiteboard on a limited budget?

My first steps involved creating a list of materials, preparing a cost estimate, and talking to building administrators to see if I could go forth with hope of both success and reimbursement.

What Do Wii Need to Get Started?

A simple list of materials was harder to locate than I imagined. Still, in prose style, Mr. Lee provides enough for a rough estimate. I already have an LCD projector and a computer in my classroom. Both are required components for a whiteboard. I will need additional hardware and software, of course, so creating a list of materials and cost estimate is important.

Here's the cost breakdown. Remember that the cost of a commercially-available whiteboard ranges from $1300 (USD) to several thousands of dollars.

• Hardware
• Wii Remote Control
• Source: Best Buy or Wal-Mart
• Cost: $39.99
• IOGEAR Bluetooth 2.0 Wireless USB Adapter (if one is not installed on the computer already – mine didn't have it)
• cdwg.com
• Cost: $26.92
• LED Pens (2 – 1 for a backup)
• Source: infraredpens.com
• Cost: ? (the company's site is currently down, awaiting e-mail response)
• Software
• Johnny Lee's WiiMote Whiteboard Software (free)
• BlueSolei Bluetooth Connection Software (free)

Now Wii Need Approval

With the understanding that I needed approval, I was ready to get underway. My first step was remembering that technology can be controversial, and that the people on a school's front lines are usually the administrators and the Tech Department or Tech Director. The one at my school is very cautious about new technology. Because it's his neck on the line, I understand why he wants a head's up any time I try something new. He's also a great person to go to when I need something small for my classroom. In the past year, he's delivered the Vegas Movie Studio and a remote for advancing PowerPoint (a welcome timesaver since I've run miles back and forth through my classroom from keyboard to screen).

He was also able to find a much less expensive Bluetooth USB adapter than the one I found. This is important. His support will be crucial if I want to pass my plans for building a Nintendo Wii Whiteboard to other teachers. Anything that he can do to bring down the cost is a bonus when I pitch the idea.