In the future of education is not only the LIM. In the garden of free software is a flower made of popped open source and a touch of hacking. It's called Wiild, and has depopulated the Linux Day
Rome - In recent years, the school has embraced the technologies that are adaptable and can be used for teaching. This acquisition process was slow and painless but has led to, in many cases, schools and facilities in line with the times. The novelty of these days is that the schools have been equipped with a number of LIM (multimedia interactive whiteboards) which are intended, slowly, to replace the blackboards and chalk with markers to which all teachers are accustomed to.
Having a LIM puts the teacher in a position to do their work in a (precisely) interactive, but also using it as a blackboard, with the appropriate software to create multimedia lessons with video, voice and special effects vari salvando il tutto su file e rendendo così possibile aggiornare e modificare le varie unità didattiche; nonché di consentire agli alunni a casa di mettersi in pari con le spiegazioni come se fossero stati presenti.
Meraviglioso dirà chi legge, ma i costi di questa attrezzatura non sono insignificanti, e prima che in ogni aula ci sia una LIM potrebbero passare decenni. La soluzione nell'immediato però potrebbe essere la wiild che sostituisce degnamente la LIM e che è stata protagonista in numerosi Linux Day lo scorso 23 ottobre. A tal proposito, visto che anche a Grosseto se n'è parlato, il presidente del Grolug Fabrizio Felici ha accettato di parlarne a Punto Informatico.
Punto Informatico: Che What is Wiild?
Fabrizio Felici: The Wiild or Blackboard Digital Wii console by the name of a popular video game, is a project started in 2007 and developed rapidly in various countries around the world (hey, it's all free software), to offer a ' effective alternative, low-cost LIM, Multimedia Interactive Whiteboard. It is based on a simple principle: the detection of movements that are done on a flat surface (screen, cloth, wall ...), in order to give commands to a computer as if you had a mouse in his hand.
PI: What do you need exactly to get a board like this?
FF: The heart of the system is the infrared remote control white called a "Wiimote", which is the translator of these movements for the computer. The equipment needed is a standard computer, usually but not necessarily portable, connected to a projector that projects the computer's video output and a pen on the surface chosen infrared remote control that acts as a button.
PI: What are the functions of the various components?
FF: The Wiimote capture the movements and pressure of the pen on the surface by the infrared rays that it emits and re-send them to your computer via Bluetooth, or via radio. Before you begin you need a fast calibration phase, in which the Wiimote to define what are the edges of our screen, cosicché esso sarà in grado con precisione di "sentire" da quale punto del rettangolo è stato inviato il raggio dalla penna, e di dirlo al PC che si comporterà di conseguenza, solitamente facendo conto che in quel punto è stato cliccato il pulsante del mouse.
PI: Quali i vantaggi di questo sistema?
FF: È facile capire e immaginare le potenzialità di avere il controllo remoto del proprio schermo, di poter stare viso a viso con la platea invece che seduti alla tastiera. Esattamente come una lavagna coi gessi, si scrive, si clicca, si fa quel che si deve e poi ci si gira per mostrare quello che si sta facendo e interagire.
PI: Quali sono i costi effettivi per costruire its Wiild?
FF: Since you have a computer that should not be particularly powerful, the parts needed are: headlamp (350 Euro), wiimote (39 €), pen infrared (15-17 Euros). In addition to these there may be need for a bluetooth dongle on USB port (10 Euro), and any computer work with this set. If you want we can add a special plexiglas support necessary for the remote control (20 Euro) which is screwed to a tripod (5 euros), and if not sivuole continuously change the batteries in the remote rechargeable battery pack via a usb (10 Euro).
PI: What are the costs of software?
FF: The software, being free, no license costs. Add to become a pen alone is pretty simple: just 1 AA battery, a switch and a micro emitter led 940nm, things that can be bought for 3-4 Euro. Already three of our group have succeeded in the enterprise, making three different pens with each other and working.
PI: What software is available and what operating systems are compatible?
FF: The software support required for translation of the clicks on the screen, like many free software, is available online in various versions and for all desktop operating systems (Windows, Mac and GNU / Linux). One of the most popular and developed is called python-whiteboard, and such is available natively for Debian and Ubuntu. This allows the connection with the remote control and calibration of the screen, from here you can operate.
PI: Wiild is compatible with other software?
FF: There are other interesting software to make us work together more easily available on the Web, like all of the Educational package for GNU / Linux, a clickable virtual keyboard on the screen, and the most interesting Slate, among other things, developed Italian by a good programmer. This allows you to write in the foreground on the screen using the pen as a piece of chalk, and among other things gives way to save in PDF and even record what is being done with VLC. It is worth mentioning that all free software, open and without licensing costs. Among other things, there is a community behind a mailing list that responds promptly to any problems with competence.
PI: How long does the installation and calibration?
FF: Time to turn on the projector, then the computer, and then that the system loads the remote control is installed at 30 degrees to the left of the projector (the angle between the two segments-overhead-projector Wiimote, which is aimed at the center screen) if the rapporteur is right-handed, 30 degrees to the right if left-handed. Then you activate the Bluetooth, turn on the calibration program, you press buttons 1 and 2 of the remote control, and after 30 seconds the screen shows calibration. At this point you should just "click" the pen in circles to the 4 sides of the screen, in sequence.
PI: It is a system within the reach of a teacher, maybe not accustomed to the use of technology?
FF: The installation is the longest part but just a little practice, maybe two rounds with someone who is successful, follow the above rules 2-3 and everything works. A computer enthusiast succeeds at most at the second attempt. Our demonstrations, then, we always to try the pen who has never experienced: a minute of uncertainty because the pen is made oblique, have fun using it. Perhaps they wonder what we surprised us the first time how easy it is.
PI: There are significant differences Wiild and LMI?
FF: Teaching your not, do the same thing, are interactive screens. A touch-screen, a tablet, does not need to be calibrated each time, and has no batteries in the remote, but that certainly does not justify the disproportionate cost. Among other things, my understanding is that while in Wiild the choice of software is virtually unlimited (all available under the GNU / Linux) this is not true for the LMI, which has a limited set of programs for its smooth functioning.
PI: How do you create interactive lessons for Wiild?
FF: Lessons can be prepared in OpenOffice.org, for example, exactly how to prepare the slides for a presentation, or use that as educational programs. The reference sites are wiild.it for the project itself, and dossierscuola.it to find a guide to the introduction of free software in schools, which includes information on many great programs to use.
PI: Why you should prefer a Wiild LMI?
FF: Pariamo the most obvious reason, the small school finances: the cost is much lower. LMI can be purchased with a 5 or 6 Wiild, and where there is no money to buy even a LMI there may be some Wiild. Among other things, wanting to nothing prevents you from running the projector between classrooms, are now portable tools. Moreover, with the Wiild you buy the tools for other purposes (the sender), and takes little time and expense in order to have a system up to date with the latest programs available. What is the hardware cost, long-lasting and is perfectly divisible by the software.
PI: It's not only the economic aspect to consider.
FF: practical reasons: the one that runs in the system Wiild can run on any computer that is at home, so students are free to use the course material as they wish. Reasons of reliability: if one fails LMI who sit and how much the repairs? A Wiild made by yourself is always under control. Reasons of freedom: there will never be closed imposed standards, so a LMI can not work with the material of another LMI, whereas all the PCs in the world can work with those who use Wiild. Finally, ethical issues: the free software in schools, because of its high value of education in the legal and sharing of knowledge and culture.
PI: after experiencing it, you state that allows a teacher to do their job as if he were in front of a traditional blackboard (the one with the crayon or chalk)?
FF: In fact, the Blackboard Digital is a step ahead of chalk, e questo non sono io a dirlo ma insegnanti cui è stato presentato il progetto.
L'idea di lavorare interattivamente col computer di fronte a una classe, di coniugare le presentazioni digitali con l'interazione e la libertà di una lavagna tradizionale, accende l'entusiasmo.
PI: Occorre la motivazione dell'insegnate a effettuare questo cambio di strumenti.
FF: Certo, l'insegnante deve essere preparato al salto digitale, deve potersi immaginare cosa fare di più e meglio con un computer alle spalle. È quasi inutile usarla per scrivere elettronicamente ma come su una lavagna di ardesia: ma se si usano dei programmi educativi, o presentazioni, la cosa cambia. Cambia il modo di fare lezione, è a large and fascinating renewal, especially for younger students. Even the mere fact of being able to project an electronic book, and read, comment, pointing out, fix it, take notes above, may be interesting.
by Patrick Bisaccia
Source: Computer Point . The publication on this blog is edited by the author.
Rome - In recent years, the school has embraced the technologies that are adaptable and can be used for teaching. This acquisition process was slow and painless but has led to, in many cases, schools and facilities in line with the times. The novelty of these days is that the schools have been equipped with a number of LIM (multimedia interactive whiteboards) which are intended, slowly, to replace the blackboards and chalk with markers to which all teachers are accustomed to.
Having a LIM puts the teacher in a position to do their work in a (precisely) interactive, but also using it as a blackboard, with the appropriate software to create multimedia lessons with video, voice and special effects vari salvando il tutto su file e rendendo così possibile aggiornare e modificare le varie unità didattiche; nonché di consentire agli alunni a casa di mettersi in pari con le spiegazioni come se fossero stati presenti.
Meraviglioso dirà chi legge, ma i costi di questa attrezzatura non sono insignificanti, e prima che in ogni aula ci sia una LIM potrebbero passare decenni. La soluzione nell'immediato però potrebbe essere la wiild che sostituisce degnamente la LIM e che è stata protagonista in numerosi Linux Day lo scorso 23 ottobre. A tal proposito, visto che anche a Grosseto se n'è parlato, il presidente del Grolug Fabrizio Felici ha accettato di parlarne a Punto Informatico.
Punto Informatico: Che What is Wiild?
Fabrizio Felici: The Wiild or Blackboard Digital Wii console by the name of a popular video game, is a project started in 2007 and developed rapidly in various countries around the world (hey, it's all free software), to offer a ' effective alternative, low-cost LIM, Multimedia Interactive Whiteboard. It is based on a simple principle: the detection of movements that are done on a flat surface (screen, cloth, wall ...), in order to give commands to a computer as if you had a mouse in his hand.
PI: What do you need exactly to get a board like this?
FF: The heart of the system is the infrared remote control white called a "Wiimote", which is the translator of these movements for the computer. The equipment needed is a standard computer, usually but not necessarily portable, connected to a projector that projects the computer's video output and a pen on the surface chosen infrared remote control that acts as a button.
PI: What are the functions of the various components?
FF: The Wiimote capture the movements and pressure of the pen on the surface by the infrared rays that it emits and re-send them to your computer via Bluetooth, or via radio. Before you begin you need a fast calibration phase, in which the Wiimote to define what are the edges of our screen, cosicché esso sarà in grado con precisione di "sentire" da quale punto del rettangolo è stato inviato il raggio dalla penna, e di dirlo al PC che si comporterà di conseguenza, solitamente facendo conto che in quel punto è stato cliccato il pulsante del mouse.
PI: Quali i vantaggi di questo sistema?
FF: È facile capire e immaginare le potenzialità di avere il controllo remoto del proprio schermo, di poter stare viso a viso con la platea invece che seduti alla tastiera. Esattamente come una lavagna coi gessi, si scrive, si clicca, si fa quel che si deve e poi ci si gira per mostrare quello che si sta facendo e interagire.
PI: Quali sono i costi effettivi per costruire its Wiild?
FF: Since you have a computer that should not be particularly powerful, the parts needed are: headlamp (350 Euro), wiimote (39 €), pen infrared (15-17 Euros). In addition to these there may be need for a bluetooth dongle on USB port (10 Euro), and any computer work with this set. If you want we can add a special plexiglas support necessary for the remote control (20 Euro) which is screwed to a tripod (5 euros), and if not sivuole continuously change the batteries in the remote rechargeable battery pack via a usb (10 Euro).
PI: What are the costs of software?
FF: The software, being free, no license costs. Add to become a pen alone is pretty simple: just 1 AA battery, a switch and a micro emitter led 940nm, things that can be bought for 3-4 Euro. Already three of our group have succeeded in the enterprise, making three different pens with each other and working.
PI: What software is available and what operating systems are compatible?
FF: The software support required for translation of the clicks on the screen, like many free software, is available online in various versions and for all desktop operating systems (Windows, Mac and GNU / Linux). One of the most popular and developed is called python-whiteboard, and such is available natively for Debian and Ubuntu. This allows the connection with the remote control and calibration of the screen, from here you can operate.
PI: Wiild is compatible with other software?
FF: There are other interesting software to make us work together more easily available on the Web, like all of the Educational package for GNU / Linux, a clickable virtual keyboard on the screen, and the most interesting Slate, among other things, developed Italian by a good programmer. This allows you to write in the foreground on the screen using the pen as a piece of chalk, and among other things gives way to save in PDF and even record what is being done with VLC. It is worth mentioning that all free software, open and without licensing costs. Among other things, there is a community behind a mailing list that responds promptly to any problems with competence.
PI: How long does the installation and calibration?
FF: Time to turn on the projector, then the computer, and then that the system loads the remote control is installed at 30 degrees to the left of the projector (the angle between the two segments-overhead-projector Wiimote, which is aimed at the center screen) if the rapporteur is right-handed, 30 degrees to the right if left-handed. Then you activate the Bluetooth, turn on the calibration program, you press buttons 1 and 2 of the remote control, and after 30 seconds the screen shows calibration. At this point you should just "click" the pen in circles to the 4 sides of the screen, in sequence.
PI: It is a system within the reach of a teacher, maybe not accustomed to the use of technology?
FF: The installation is the longest part but just a little practice, maybe two rounds with someone who is successful, follow the above rules 2-3 and everything works. A computer enthusiast succeeds at most at the second attempt. Our demonstrations, then, we always to try the pen who has never experienced: a minute of uncertainty because the pen is made oblique, have fun using it. Perhaps they wonder what we surprised us the first time how easy it is.
PI: There are significant differences Wiild and LMI?
FF: Teaching your not, do the same thing, are interactive screens. A touch-screen, a tablet, does not need to be calibrated each time, and has no batteries in the remote, but that certainly does not justify the disproportionate cost. Among other things, my understanding is that while in Wiild the choice of software is virtually unlimited (all available under the GNU / Linux) this is not true for the LMI, which has a limited set of programs for its smooth functioning.
PI: How do you create interactive lessons for Wiild?
FF: Lessons can be prepared in OpenOffice.org, for example, exactly how to prepare the slides for a presentation, or use that as educational programs. The reference sites are wiild.it for the project itself, and dossierscuola.it to find a guide to the introduction of free software in schools, which includes information on many great programs to use.
PI: Why you should prefer a Wiild LMI?
FF: Pariamo the most obvious reason, the small school finances: the cost is much lower. LMI can be purchased with a 5 or 6 Wiild, and where there is no money to buy even a LMI there may be some Wiild. Among other things, wanting to nothing prevents you from running the projector between classrooms, are now portable tools. Moreover, with the Wiild you buy the tools for other purposes (the sender), and takes little time and expense in order to have a system up to date with the latest programs available. What is the hardware cost, long-lasting and is perfectly divisible by the software.
PI: It's not only the economic aspect to consider.
FF: practical reasons: the one that runs in the system Wiild can run on any computer that is at home, so students are free to use the course material as they wish. Reasons of reliability: if one fails LMI who sit and how much the repairs? A Wiild made by yourself is always under control. Reasons of freedom: there will never be closed imposed standards, so a LMI can not work with the material of another LMI, whereas all the PCs in the world can work with those who use Wiild. Finally, ethical issues: the free software in schools, because of its high value of education in the legal and sharing of knowledge and culture.
PI: after experiencing it, you state that allows a teacher to do their job as if he were in front of a traditional blackboard (the one with the crayon or chalk)?
FF: In fact, the Blackboard Digital is a step ahead of chalk, e questo non sono io a dirlo ma insegnanti cui è stato presentato il progetto.
L'idea di lavorare interattivamente col computer di fronte a una classe, di coniugare le presentazioni digitali con l'interazione e la libertà di una lavagna tradizionale, accende l'entusiasmo.
PI: Occorre la motivazione dell'insegnate a effettuare questo cambio di strumenti.
FF: Certo, l'insegnante deve essere preparato al salto digitale, deve potersi immaginare cosa fare di più e meglio con un computer alle spalle. È quasi inutile usarla per scrivere elettronicamente ma come su una lavagna di ardesia: ma se si usano dei programmi educativi, o presentazioni, la cosa cambia. Cambia il modo di fare lezione, è a large and fascinating renewal, especially for younger students. Even the mere fact of being able to project an electronic book, and read, comment, pointing out, fix it, take notes above, may be interesting.
by Patrick Bisaccia
Source: Computer Point . The publication on this blog is edited by the author.
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