EDAD660 (2010)

Here’s how to get started:

1. Make sure your computer has a Bluetooth adapter installed. Most new-ish laptops come outfitted with this already. If not you can buy a USB Bluetooth adapter such as this one for about $30.
2. Get your hands on a projector unit. Make sure that you have the necessary cables to connect it to your Bluetooth-enabled computer.
3. Next you will need a Nintendo Wiimote. These are easily purchased almost anywhere video games are sold and cost about $30.
4. You will need an infrared pen as well – you can build your own, but I found it very easy and inexpensive to buy one from Wiiteachers.
5. Finally you will need to download the Wii Whiteboard software (PC or Mac)

Now that you have the necessary materials you can begin the building process. Here’s how to get started!

1. Determine where you would like to place your new whiteboard and orient the projector accordingly. Our example in class was a “rear-projection” setup in which we strung a semi-opaque sheet of thick tissue paper between two measuring sticks. I would recommend a sheet of vellum or another thick-ish semi-opaque material if you can get your hands on it. A rear-projection setup is useful since it prevents you from obscuring the whiteboard when writing on it, however you need to make sure that you (a) have enough space and (b) have a projector that can “reverse” the projected image.
   

   Wii Whiteboard stand (non illuminated)

2. Start up the Wii Whiteboard software.
3. Follow the instructions on how to conenct your Wii to the software (hold down buttons 1 & 2 at the same time)
4. Orient the Wiimote so that it has a clear view of the projected image. I set mine off about 45 degrees to the side and it seemed to work fine.
5. Turn on the “IR Camera Monitor” feature of the Wii Whiteboard software and ensure that your IR pen can be seen in all four courners of the whiteboard. If not, reorient the Wiimote and try again.
6. When you’re sure the pen will be visible by the Wiimote throughout the entire service you can go ahead and click the ‘Calibrate’ button. Click on the four targets as they appear.
7. If everything went well you should now have your own Nintendo Wii Whiteboard!