Dear Santa, bring me a kinect for X-mas, I promise I will share it with the kids!

How to outfit a school with "Smart" Interactive White Board technology on the cheap!

Are you looking for a low cost "smart" interactive whiteboard technology solution for your school? Consider the following: Wiimote Interactive White Board Software by Smoothboard.


Recently, my sons' PTO announced that they were purchasing PolyVision interactive boards for the school. I came to the PTO meeting to hear about their purchases.

I was really happy to see the staff making some steps towards bumping up the technology in the elementary school. This school is really fantastic at the basics, personal attention, reading help, etc. In my opinion, there just didn't seem to be a culture moving toward technology.

Our new principal pitched his plan to outfit each grade level with one interactive board each. We watched the principal and another male teacher lift the bulky board on the hooks before the demonstration.

After a jaw dropping interactive smart board demonstration, my first question was "How much does it cost?"

Major purchases such as these should be considered carefully. The school district was not planning on funding the interactive boards and was relying on the PTO to present them with these gifts.

Our principal estimated that the interactive board was approximately $900 and another $800-$900 for the projector and mount. I asked the PTO and the principal to consider a "smart" technology alternative for approximately $150 per class plus projector costs.

After the meeting, I forwarded information from Smoothboard to the PTO about an inexpensive alternative to the PolyVision interactive boards.

I sent them the Johnny Lee video (a life changing, six minute, "must see video").
As a student, Johnny Lee was the original American that conceptualized this technology in the first place. He was able to plug his wii remote into his computer via bluetooth and project it onto a regular whiteboard. The results startled the gaming and development community in 08 as he demonstrated his findings, at the international TED conference.
He now works for Microsoft.

Johnny Lee demos Wii Remote hacks | Video on TED.com

Along with the Johnny video, I directed them to IR Great, a website that sells the technology and all the necessary tools, in a convenient, inexpensive bundle!


Next, I priced each component of the kit individually, to see if I could save even more.

Here are the results of my findings:

The cost to outfit 18 elementary school classrooms in "smart" board technology WITH projectors and ALL of the necessary equipment, as little as $9108!!!

Compared to the alternative, Polyvision Interactive White Boards at $1800 X 6 = $10800

Here is the breakdown with links to each:

Wii remotes: $30X18 = $540 Amazon
Wii remote ceiling mounts $23 X 18 = $414 IR Great innovations, LLC
blue tooth adapter $3X18 = $54 Amazon
Smoothboard software $25 X 18 = $450 Smooth Board Bulk Rate
LED economy IR Pens $10 X 18 = $180 wiiteachers.com

Projector Picks:
Pico-Lampless BenQ Joybee GP! Mini-LED DLP Projector $400 X 18 = $7200

LG HS201 Slim Led Projector $500 X 18 = 9000

With Projector Mount:
Tilt Mount $15 X 18 = $270

or
Optoma HD66 3D Projector $650 X 18 = $11,700

With Projector Mount:
Universal Tilt Projector Mount $90 X 18 = $1620


So, the question remains. . .are they going to go for it?

Our new principal replied that he is going to pass the new technology to our school district educational technology director for consideration. We may still have some red tape with the School Board rules and potential contract conflicts with PolyVision. There may be software costs to consider as well, since the school district has already invested in the PolyVision compatible software at the high school and middle school levels.

IR Great, a reseller of the Smoothboard line, claims many open source and low cost software that is compatible with interactive whiteboard on their site:

Below is a link to the website for further information.

List of Free or Low Cost Software:(From IR Great)

According to IR Great, Smoothboard works with any mouse controlled software. The applications listed on the link (except Microsoft Office applications)are free or low cost and will greatly increase the interactive potential of Smoothboard. IR Great does not sell additional applications.

The following are the categories of software listed on the link, along with specific links to the vendor's sites in each category.

Presentation Enhancing Software

* Ritescript Ritepen: The best optical character recognition software, convert handwriting to text with ease in any application.
* Foxit: The ultimate PDF annotation software, perminantly annotate documents with ease that scroll with the document.
* Smoothboard Annotation Tool: Built-in Annotation Tool in Smoothboard which allows annotation on top of any application, save screen shots and use your desktop as a drawing board.
* Annotatepro
* Linktivity Presenter.
* Microsoft PowerPoint.
* Open office Impress.


Interactive Whiteboard Interface

* LectureScribe: A program for easily producing animated "whiteboard lectures" from a tablet PC or electronic whiteboard. LectureScribe is written by Brian C. Dean, an assistant professor of computer science at Clemson Univeristy.
* Kindle Lab: The open source IWB interface.
* Microsoft OneNote The unused gem of the Microsoft Office suite, provides a professional mature IWB interface, excellent for senior students, university students and adults.
* Jarnel An open source equivalent to Onenote with lesser functionality.
* Activinspire Program developed by Promethean. Run as personal edition.

Musical Software

* Buzzmachines: A very easy to use software based synthesizer.

Artistic software

* Artrage 2: A high quality art program with an intuitive user interface that allows the selection of medium, texture and colour.
* Google sketchup: Create, modify and share 3D models.
* Myoats: A interesting online drawing application.
* Crayola: A collection of free colouring pages.
* Graffiti Studio: Create a digital graffiti piece without the cleaning.
* Imagination Cubed: Create a multi user collaborative artwork online
* Mr Picassohead: Mr Potato Head meets Picasso


Physics & science software

* Sketchy Physics: A plug in that applies the laws of physics to Google Sketchup 3D animations.
* Phun 2D Physics sandbox: Play with physical concepts in a game like fun and engaging way.
* Havok Physics: Use the same physics technology Game makers use (free license for education institutions).
* PhET: Interactive Simulations Fun, interactive, research-based simulations of physical phenomena from the PhET project at the University of Colorado.
* Gizmos: Virtual simulations and interactives
* Edheads: A collection of virtual games and experiements on unique concepts
* Interactives: A collection of quality science interactive modules


Mathematics Software

* Educational Java programs: A collection of educational Java applets
* MathsTools: A collection of maths resources
* Gizmos: Virtual simulations and interactives
* Centre for technology: Interactive Mathematics Projects using Macromedia Flash
* National Library of Virtual Manipulatives: Virtual simulations and interactives
* Interactives: A collection of quality 3D maths interactive modules


Web 2.0/Online applications

* skrbl: Collaborate online documents and whiteboard space.
* Sketchcast: Create a movie of your sketch/drawing and microphone recording.
* bubbl.us: Create a online collaborative mindmap.
* Twiddla: Cooperatively mark up websites, graphics, and photos, or start brainstorming on a blank canvas.
* WiZiQ: Teach and learn live online.
* Dabbleboard: Online collaborative whiteboard.


Anatomy, Health and biology

* Visible Body: Explore high quality anatomical structures and annotate within the application to explain concepts.
* Educational Java programs: A collection of educational Java applets
* Cells Alive: Cellular biology through simulations and interactives
* Edheads: A collection of virtual games and experiements on unique concepts


Virtual environments

* Edusim: Create and explore your own multi user virtual environment.
* Google Earth

If you are tech savvy, you can download the free version from Johnny Lee. (Note that the last update was in '08 and that there is currently no free versions available for Vista 64 or Windows 7).

Wiimote Project is the forum associated with this looks somewhat abandoned as well.

I found the Smoothboard software to be reasonably priced at $23 to $72 per license type. Support for my questions was answered promptly by Smoothboard staff. The staff headquarters are located in Singapore and the e-mail response was in articulate English, I would never have guessed it came from abroad!

I will be trying out this new technology personally over the next few weeks and keep you posted of my results!

Designing Digitally

Rupertism, Behaviorism in “Real Time”

Rupertism
Behaviorism in “Real Time” at the Rupert Family Home

Behaviorism influenced learning analysis by administering an "objective" approach, focusing on measurable behaviors, as a means to incorporate the scientific method in the discipline of psychology. Rather than analyzing non-observable mental processing, behaviorists focus on stimuli and responses in all organisms, human and non-human alike. Learning occurs when environmental stimuli triggers a response to an organism. Traditional behaviorists do not differentiate between organisms, adult and child learners.

Classical Conditioning is a branch of behaviorism that can help explain generalized learning and stimulus discrimination. Generalized learning can occur when an adult learner is able to apply a learned response to similar stimulus. A student turns in their paper late and receives a failing grade. The student may infer that all late assignments will result in a failing grade. Stimulus discrimination occurs in an adult learner when they distinguish between learned responses. The same student turns in a late paper with a different professor and receives a small reduction of points. The student learns that work turned into the first professor will be a priority.

Instrumental conditioning is best illustrated by Operant Conditioning. A pleasant reinforcement presented after a desired response is the most effective way for learning to occur. For the adult learner in the classroom, compliments after a correct answer or high marks on an assignment are considered effective responses to reinforce learning.

Rupertism Defined: Rupert parents attempt to shape their children’s behavior. Due to the parent’s misguided idealism of intrinsic reinforcement and pathetic attempts to chain behaviors using intermittent reinforcements, the Rupert children have, in a twist of dysfunctionalism, learned how to use active-avoidance as a negative reinforcement to shape their parent’s behavior.

Rupertism Example #1:
Rupert Junior II, age six, does not like to go to sleep. Since he was born, he was a wide eyed, very alert baby, rarely requiring naps after the age of two. Mother requires more sleep then Jr. II and needs her son to go to bed at nine so that she can do her homework in peace. Rupert Jr. II has figured out that if he gets out of bed, and fools around at the top of the stairs (stimulus), Mom will ask Dad to put Jr. II back into bed so she can finish her homework. Dad will lay down with Jr. II (response) and until Jr. II falls asleep. Mom often finds Dad fallen asleep alongside Rupert Jr. II.

Rupertism Example #2:
The Rupert Boys do not like Mama’s cooking. Daddy is a gourmet chef, and is difficult to compete with. Mom will make the boys something healthy like penne pasta with home-made marinara from garden tomatoes and basil served in a hallowed spaghetti squash bowl.
The boys are not fooled. They scowl, pick at the food, move it around with their forks and carefully scrape marinara off of each individual noodle before slowly nibbling on it. Five noodles later, the boys announce they are full and wait for their father to come home. Giving their dad saucer eyes and boo boo lips (stimulus); they state that they are starving. Would Daddy PLEASE make them some Kraft Mac & Cheese. Dad falls for it (response), whips up some mac & cheese, scratch biscuits, fresh cut French fries and steak cooked medium served with buttered corn on the cob and followed by ice cream for dessert. Mom eats leftover penne pasta with spaghetti squash for lunch for the next two days (restitutional overcorrection).

Rupertism Example #3:
The boys have had tidy bedroom training on many occasions (positive reinforcement). However, the Rupert boys still do not like to clean their room. The boys will let their room become so messy that the floor is covered with toys and clothes (aversion). Mom will send the boys up to their room to clean it up (punishment I). The boys will put a couple of toys away and put some dirty clothes in the hamper. Mom will start working on the computer. Rupert Jr. I will shut the door (aversion) and start building Legos. Jr. II will start jumping on the bed. Mom will start yelling at the boys to clean their room. The boys will get quiet. Mom goes upstairs to check their progress. She finds that the boys have made no progress and are now watching an episode of iCarly in her bedroom (negative reinforcement). Mom sees that it is bedtime, yells at the boys (verbal reprimand) to put their pajamas on and ends up cleaning their room for them the next day (misplaced restitution).

Open Source Educational Game Authoring Tools

Behaviorism is an excellent resource for motivating students, especially young and special needs to engage in academics through positive reinforcement. I took an interesting summer clinic at Harrisburg University learning how to use games as educational tools. I built my first game on ppt called math buddies. I introduced digit ten concepts to first graders by teaching them grouping and instant recognition skills. My goal was to build up their processing speed and reduce finger counting during mental math exercises.

When I created my Math Buddies Video game, I chose to use positive reinforcement for the learner to encourage them to continue to play. Each round was followed by a lollipop. The player would continue to collect lollipops and other prizes throughout the game. There was never a wrong answer. The player’s only option was to get the right answer and be rewarded. I used this to keep kids who have a tough time with win-lose games from getting frustrated.

Here are some of the following open source game-maker tools that were introduced to me my gaming class and through my LTMS class last summer.

Open source:
http://www.adventuremaker.com/
http://www.sploder.com/
http://scratch.mit.edu/
http://www.sharendipity.com/

Low cost:
http://www.almorale.com/
http://www.gamesinaflash.com/
Resources:
http://www.q2l.org/
http://www.webcourseworks.com/games_simulation

Can you think of any other sources that you can add to these lists?

How to More Effectively Reach the Learner through Interactive Learning – A Learning Proposal

Audience: K-12 Educators

Learning Objectives: Learner will be able to
o Identify the latest research of tactile learning.
o Be motivated to incorporate interactive learning as an effective delivery method in teaching.
o Identify current practices of interactive learning in using fractions in math as an example.
o Demonstrate a common interactive learning method for fractions using common household items.
o Incorporate technologies for each interactive in the classroom.

Assessment:
Students will receive a handout with thought provoking assessment questions and learning tool links that compliment interactive learning. Learning will be assessed by an interactive matching game.
o Identify tactile learning.
o Demonstrate a delivery to address interactive learning.
o Demonstrate a technology that can address interactive learning.

Instruction:
In order to gain attention of the audience, the facilitator will motivate educators to incorporate interactive learning into their instruction. The facilitator will discuss the latest research on tactile learning. To conduct the actual instruction, the facilitator will demonstrate examples of interactive learning through the use of a power point presentation and the internet. At periodic steps in the process the learner will be provided with memory cues on power point slides. At the point where assessment is associated with the instruction, the facilitator will ask the learners to discuss any learning methods or websites that they would like to share. Learners will get to search for an interactive learning technology by using the clues provided in the slide and post their results on Blogger. Learners will have the opportunity to discuss which learning technology was most likely to be the first to be incorporated into the classroom.
Example of Teaching Technology Application:
The facilitator will teach educators how to use interactive learning technologies in the classroom. The facilitator will use a power point presentation and the internet. During interactive learning training, learners will be walked through different interactive technology searches by finding an open source interactive websites, relevant to fractions. Learners will upload their findings to blogger. Students will receive a certificate of completion for participation.

Sample Learner Handout

What do you know about learning intelligences?

Have you found any interactive activities helpful to you as a teacher?

What would you like to take away from this class?

What kind of interactive technologies would you find to be helpful?

Interactive technologies you have used:

Websites you will visit after class:

http://interactivefractions.blogspot.com/2009/12/interactive-fractions.html

http://www.learningabledkids.com

iKnowthat.com

Sample Facilitators Guide

Time: Learning seminar is 45 minutes in length. Instruction should be part of a larger unit or as a guest speaker as part of a larger program.
Prep: Facilitator should greet each of the learners as they come in the door and give each one a name tag.
Ice breaker: Learners will break up into left handed and right handed on each side of the room. This is the approximate amount of tactile dominate learners in the general population.
Audience: K-12 Educators
Learning Objectives: Learner will be able to
o Identify the latest research of tactile learning.
o Be motivated to incorporate interactive learning as an effective delivery method in teaching.
o Identify current practices of interactive learning in using fractions in math as an example.
o Demonstrate a common interactive learning method for fractions using common household items.
o Incorporate technologies for each interactive in the classroom.
Handouts:
Students will receive a handout with different links for learning tools that would be complimentary to interactive learning.
o Identify tactile learning.
o Demonstrate a delivery to address interactive learning.
o Demonstrate a technology that can address interactive learning.

Instruction:
o In order to gain attention of the audience, the facilitator will motivate educators to incorporate interactive learning into their instruction.
o The facilitator will discuss the latest research on tactile learning.
o To conduct the actual instruction, the facilitator will demonstrate examples of interactive learning through the use of a power point presentation and the internet.
o At periodic steps in the process the learner will be provided with memory cues on power point slides.
o At the point where assessment is associated with the instruction, the facilitator will ask the learners to discuss any learning methods or websites that they would like to share.
o A blank section on the handouts will allow them to jot down notes on each section of interactive learning.
o Learners will be able to match interactive learning technology with a learning need by identifying them on a power point slide.
o Learners will get to search for an interactive learning technology by using the clues provided in the slide and post their results on Blogger.
o Learners will have the opportunity to discuss which learning technology was most likely to be the first to be incorporated into the classroom.

Example of Teaching Technology Application:
The facilitator will teach educators how to use interactive learning technologies in the classroom. The facilitator will use a power point presentation and the internet. During interactive learning training, learners will be walked through different interactive technology searches by finding an open source interactive website, relevant to fractions. Learners will upload their reactions to blogger and jot down notes about their reactions to the interactive websites. Students will receive a certificate of completion for seminar participation.

Authored by Angela Rupert 12/17/2010

Works Cited
“Constructivism” Wikipedia. 16 Dec 2009 Cook, S. L. “Tactile Learning Activities List.” LearningAbledKids – Help for Homeschooling children with Learning Disabilities. 2009. Web. 09 Dec.2009. .
Delux Decimal Tower Math Manipulative, Hummelstown, PA. Personal photograph by author. 2009.Photo taken from the front cover of the game.
“Fishy Fractions.” IKnowthat.com – Online Multimedia Educational Games for Kids in Preschool, Kindergarten, and Elementary Grades. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. .
Foam Magnetic Fraction Circles by Educational Insights, Hummelstown, PA. Personal photograph by author. 2009.Photo of game cover.
“Fractions Basics Proper Improper Mixed Math Learning Upgrade.” YouTube – Broadcast Yourself. Learning Upgrade, 07 May 2007. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. .
Loudog. “Somethings Wrong.” Party Thieves. Jamendo. 2008. Web. 17 Nov. 2009. .
Jacobs, David H., and August V. Treff. Life Skills Math. Circle Pines, MN: AGS Pub, 2002. Print.
Ormrod, Jeanne Ellis. Human Learning 5th edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ Pearson Pub, 2008. Print.
Play-Dough. Digital image. About-recipes.com. Web. 09 Dec. 2009. .
Kaplan, Steve. The Dating Game. David Mook. The Dating Game, 1973. MP3 “Game Show Themes Library.” GameShowThemeSongs.net.Eric Hjelm, 2009. Web. 25 Oct. 2009. http://gameshowthemesongs.net/themes_library.htm.
Visser, Beth A., Michael C. Ashton, and Phillip A. Vernon. “Beyondg: Putting multiple intelligences theory to the test.” Intelligence Sept-Oct 34.5 (2006): 487-502. Print.