New Release of Smoothboard 1.5

Smoothboard.net have released the very latest version of Smoothboard 1.5. It has some cool new features such as a floating toolbar which adds to your wiimote interactive experience. If you haven't already done so, visit http://www.smoothboard.net/ to download this 'must have' software. Don't foget to register your download, especially if you're using Smoothboard for commercial purposes. Check it out!

How about some mind mapping?

Mind mapping is a really useful way of organising your thinking and many schools have invested in software such as Inspiration which works brilliantly with an interactive whiteboard. However, the team at 3Pi are always on the lookout for 'no cost' options which are accessible to anyone with an internet connection, and one that is great for mind mapping is a wee Web2 tool from bubbl.us . It is very simple to use and lets students create effective mind maps quickly.
Check it out, we think you will be impressed.

One or two Wiimotes?

We are sometimes asked whether we recommend one or two wiimotes for the best tracking performance. As you probably know, Smoothboard www.smoothboard.com has the capability to use two wiimotes if you wish.
Well, we ourselves only use one. If properly positioned, either temporarily, or using a mount system such as in our classroom kit, it is very rare for the wiimote not to be able to 'see' the pen. Of course, if you want to try the two wiimote option, it is still a relatively inexpensive setup. We'd love to hear from users who do think the second wiimote is useful as if there was enough demand, we could provide that option in our kits.

Take a look at this!

There are lots of really helpful and supportive resources out there on the web centred around this amazing Wiimote project. One particular website we have stumbled upon is called "Wiiteach". It is a site designed by teachers for teachers. Two Grade 6 teachers from the US have put together a webite full of handy links, information and resources to help you engage kids in their learning.

It's a must see website and we at 3P Interact Ltd congratulate these guys on putting together such a helpful tool.

Check it out http://www.wiiteach.net/Wiiteach.html

Software that is awesome with the Wiimote

I was teaching a small group of students the basics of Google Sketchup earlier in the week and (of course) used the Wiimote whiteboard as my key teaching technology. This great piece of 3D graphics software is absolutely perfect when used with an interactive board. My students were designing a new mailbox for the school and the ability to create digital 3D models let them experiment with design features and quickly start refining their initial ideas. Check it out at http://sketchup.google.com/

Projectors

You can't have an interactive whiteboard without a projector and it is important to make yours work for you as well as possible.

Unless you use a rear projection screen, when you use your whiteboard you will cast a shadow.

There are models out now that can project a useful sized image from as little as 8cm from the screen! The catch is that these 'short throw' projectors are very expensive at the moment and schools in particular struggle to find the funds for them. However, all is not lost, there are a few simple things you can do with an 'average' projector to maximise its potential.

The first and most useful thing that you can do to minimise that shadow, is to mount the projector as high as possible while still being able to use the keystone function to square up the image. I saw an installation in a classroom today that followed this principle and the result was hardly any shadow at all!

We also recommend keeping the image to approximately 1.2 - 1.5 wide as this gives the wiimote an easy view that keeps the tracking accuracy high ( remember the wiimote placement rule of thumb - twice as far back as the image is wide).

Height of image is also important. If the system is to be truly interactive it needs to be able to be reached by all users. If children are going to use it (and they should!) you may need to provide something to stand on, but even for adults, it is important to keep the top at a comfortable height.

What do you do with the thing?

Many people like the idea of getting a bit of "interactivity" into their classrooms via the wiimote project and a 3pi pen. But just as many people ask for more ideas to enhance the interactivity once the system is all up and running.
Here goes a wonderful music website that not only will help you with a bit of interactivity but also give you and your class a dash of creativity. All made better with your wiimote system.
Try out http://www.jamstudio.com/Studio/index.htm and give your music lessons a lift. This is a great site for beginners and experienced musicians alike.
This site even lets you write music in the style of your favourite musician; from Fergie to U2, Eric Clapton to Lenny Kravitz!
Go on, knock yourself out!