Hi Boonjin,
Hi all,
Programs that use multiple mice have been around for quite some time. It seems to me (without trying to sound like a conspiracy theorist) that this technology has been somewhat supressed or is only available in the developing world. Microsoft have been trialling this concept for a couple of years now - very successfully - but still haven't officially released it.
The one I referred to and have been using since mid last year can be seen here. It's called Mouse Mischief. There was supposed to be an official beta version released this month but I don't think this has happened yet.
This is when it was in its early stages and has now been improved significantly. My class now has a set of wireless mice 2.4ghz with a 15 metre range and the kids love the fact that they all have simultaneous input. They can all vote on multiple choice questions, simultaneously drag and drop objects and text, simultaneously draw or write on the screen, simultaneously input text for brainstorming sessions using on-screen keyboards and input numerical values for maths questions using the on-screen keypad. The teacher control with this program is awesome. Lessons are so quick and easy to create using powerpoint. Feedback is instant and the program keeps track of student progress.
I guess was very lucky to be given the software by the developers to trial and provide feedback of its use and success in a class in Australia!
Multipoint works (and has worked) with all Windows machines - XP, Vista and 7. I'm sure macs would too. This program uses office powerpoint, there is a mischief addin which makes the created slides interactive. You can use Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007.
I guess there is a distinction to be made with "Multitouch" and "Multi-point."
From what I have seen with this emerging technology, I believe "multitouch" refers to one user who is able to manipulate objects eg photos by using their finger gestures to resize. The Apple iphone is a perfect example. One user - 2 fingers. I say this because 2 users couldn't simultaneously resize two different images on the one screen.
Therefore, as it stands at the moment, multitouch won't allow more than one user - in its current state.
"Multipoint" is multiple mice - each with its own unique, identifiable and usable cursor. This potentially allows up to 256 simultaneous users on the one screen.
For educational purposes, this is far more attractive as it engages all students 100% of the time! It also creates an environment where children remain in their seat and interact with the whiteboard. This is great as students are now no longer physically blocking the screen or casting shadows on the board as they WAIT for their turn!
Unfortunately, the wiimote software and hardware does not support this feature or software. I still use my wiimote whiteboard ALL the time, but I also use a wireless keyboard and mouse combo to teach with. I am out the front, roving around the class, down the back etc. and still retain full control of the screen and the pace of my lessons.
My first principal gave me this advice, "A teacher on his feet is worth two in his seat." Hence the reason to go with a wireless keyboard and mouse. Now I am not stuck at my desk behind the laptop.
I understand that this is not a wimote project, and I can't see how the wiimote could be used affordably to create a multi-user interface. The mice cost about AUS$13 each. So even if you could put a wiimote in each students hand to let them vote, drag, draw etc assigning the buttons on the wiimote to do these features, it would still be many times the cost of the mice and then similar in price to commercially available SRS - none which offer the many features which MouseMischief offer. Again, Mouse Mischief was originally purely developed for educational uses in poorer or disadvantaged schools so that these students had an opportunity to be engaged using technology. BUT the educational implications and achievements for classrooms in my school has been massive. I hope it is released to the world very soon. SRS (Student Response Systems) are so important in the 21st Century classroom, but their costs at the moment are prohibitive for most schools.
Sorry for the long post and being off topic but multipoint technology and programs is readily available now.
Regards,
Joe Stewart
