Mr. Aitken's Interactive Whiteboard
In my classroom I use an interactive whiteboard. It is a virtual whiteboard because the classroom did not have an interactive board in the room and the cost of purchasing one myself was prohibitive. I have investigated both hardware and virtual interactive board technology published my findings for my employer in the spring of 2010. The document may be downloaded by clicking here.
During the last six years I have used a virtual interactive board in my classroom that I will describe below. You will need a computer, preferable a computer with Bluetooth but an adapter can be purchased to add that functionality. You will a need a projector that is connected to the computer. You will also need a Wii remote, and infrared pen, and some software. The software I am using is from Smoothboard, there website can be found here. There are several excellent and interesting project that this small company is working on. This is all that is necessary but there are some additions I am using that have made the whole setup more permanent and effective.
I have purchased and installed three additions that have changed the setup of the equipment from one that was complicated and burdensome to one that is easy and permanent. I have purchased and installed an attachment for the Wii remote that holds it in the exact position to capture the infrared dot on the board that is created by the infrared pen. I also purchased and installed an AC adaptor that replaces the batteries in the Wii remote. This eliminates the need for replacing batteries in the remote about every 4 school days. Finally, since the Wii remote is attached to the ceiling, I have installed a remote switch to turn the Wii remote on and off. This allows me to reconnect the remote to the computer after the computer has been switched off. See the photos below for more details.
This virtual whiteboard has many advantages over a physical board. The first is that I have utilized a plain whiteboard as the projection surface, though any white surface will work. When am not using it, it is simple a whiteboard that can be written on without damaging the interactive features. Also it prevents students from damaging the board since it is virtual. Lastly it costs less than $200, most interactive whiteboards start at around $2,000, and some cost much more.
Contact me if you would like to see it in action or if you would like help integrating everything.
Resource for purchasing equipment and software.
Teach With Tech
During the last six years I have used a virtual interactive board in my classroom that I will describe below. You will need a computer, preferable a computer with Bluetooth but an adapter can be purchased to add that functionality. You will a need a projector that is connected to the computer. You will also need a Wii remote, and infrared pen, and some software. The software I am using is from Smoothboard, there website can be found here. There are several excellent and interesting project that this small company is working on. This is all that is necessary but there are some additions I am using that have made the whole setup more permanent and effective.
I have purchased and installed three additions that have changed the setup of the equipment from one that was complicated and burdensome to one that is easy and permanent. I have purchased and installed an attachment for the Wii remote that holds it in the exact position to capture the infrared dot on the board that is created by the infrared pen. I also purchased and installed an AC adaptor that replaces the batteries in the Wii remote. This eliminates the need for replacing batteries in the remote about every 4 school days. Finally, since the Wii remote is attached to the ceiling, I have installed a remote switch to turn the Wii remote on and off. This allows me to reconnect the remote to the computer after the computer has been switched off. See the photos below for more details.
This virtual whiteboard has many advantages over a physical board. The first is that I have utilized a plain whiteboard as the projection surface, though any white surface will work. When am not using it, it is simple a whiteboard that can be written on without damaging the interactive features. Also it prevents students from damaging the board since it is virtual. Lastly it costs less than $200, most interactive whiteboards start at around $2,000, and some cost much more.
Contact me if you would like to see it in action or if you would like help integrating everything.
Resource for purchasing equipment and software.
Teach With Tech
