When Wii Hacks Free the Academic Mind

I'm with Will Richardson in terms of Johnny Chung Lee's cheap Wii remote hack that makes every surface suddenly 'smart'. 

It ain't about the tool.  Or the hack.

What it is about is the profound way it rewires your thinking.

Because when every surface becomes digitally interactive and when information is imbedded everywhere (as in QR codes that seem IMHO still so ripe for academic scavenger hunt creation/execution), then school truly becomes limitless.

Or at least no longer bound by the 4 walls. 

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For those who see Johnny Chung Lee's potential rock star status for wee humble teacher types, another video well worth checking out:

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Keep track of Johnny's on-going projects here.

Comments

[Nancy]

OK, truth? I was not watching the video thinking "oh my goodness, just think what we could do with that?" I'm thinking "how in the world did that kid think of that?"

It is wonderful that the world is full of all kinds of people--we've got me (the teacher) and Johnny Lee (not me)!! Thanks for sharing. N.

[Christian Long]

And I'm sitting here thinking, "What would happen if the kids were given a chance to show us what they already know?" rather than always the other way around!

[John Powers]

It so wonderful you see Johnny Chung Lee's hacks as really making a difference. On the topic of hacks, one of the aspects of the OLPC computer is that designers knew, since they were intended for kids, they'd be taken apart. So they thought to try to make them safe. But they also made them assuming they'd be hacked. Imagine education predicated on the idea that some of the important learning most certainly will not be on the test.

[Rich White]

I really want to get Edusim (http://edusim3d.com) on this cool wiimote hack !