ByMike Foody

CEOGlobal Imagination

Enabling Teachers and Students to Build Interactive Content for

Spherical Displays

(And share them around the globe!)

Historical Background

• Playlists showing movie loops, with “choreography”

• Touch-screens built in HTML, Flash, etc.– Now being used with SmartBoards– “SmartBoard computer” isn’t always the one controlling the Magic Planet

• No change to have the UI run on a different computer (just say which computer to control)

– Fill-in-the-blanks templates (xml)

• PowerPoint plug-in– Simple text file: slide 1 -> Clouds on the Marble [the animation]– Macros to play, pause, rotate, go to; etc.– Full scripting for full capability– Not widely used (except in China)

• Interactive end-user tools like TourGuide and iWorld

New End-User Tools

• TourGuide – a media mashup tool for the Magic Planet– For ages 13 and up– Add “live links” anywhere on the globe– Clicking on the links triggers media (either on the MP or on a second

display):• Flip-book animation; Photos & slide show; Movies; Webcams; YouTube; Google

Maps; etc.

• iWorld– Export Excel data for countries around the world– Decide what value ranges get what colors– iWorld automatically creates an interactive global map

• iWorld Atlas– E.g. climate change; global inequality; traditional

• iWorld Games & quiz engine– Fun geography-oriented games – Create your own: Fill in Excel template and export

A Magic Planet Isn’t Required to Create Projects

• Students can build their projects, then “show them on the globe” later

• Anyone can create projects and post them for others to use– E.g. weekly news around the globe

Demo

Creating TourGuide ApplicationsEasy to Add Links

TourGuide Scales Everything For You So “It Looks Right” on the Globe

Creating TourGuide ApplicationsSet the Style

Creating TourGuide ApplicationsEasy to Add Actions

Creating TourGuide ApplicationsPlay Media

• On the whole globe, or in a window (or windows) on the Magic Planet or on a 2nd screen

• Numerous media types– “Flip Book” animations– Photos and slide shows, with narration– Movies– Streaming media like webcams & – HTML (with a template capability)

• YouTube (just give the clip number)• Google Maps (just give the location)• Etc.

Play Media On the Whole Globe

Play Media In a WindowOn the MP or On a 2nd Screen

Numerous Visual Effects

Link to Other Projects Locallyor Around the Globe

Other Notable FeaturesReal-Time Day-Night Cycle

Search for LandmarksOver the Internet

Save the Image

• Take what’s displayed, and save the image to a file

• A great way to simply create “annotated images” for use on the globe

Conclusion

• Spherical displays are becoming visualization tools that non-technical people can use