PO-Motion

Looking for something new to do with your students to get them excited about moving and stretching?

PO-motion might be the answer. PO-MOtion is a software program that allows you to easily create engaging interactive displays projected on to any surface. 

These displays allow the user to interact with the screen via a web-cam. Any movements by the user translate to changes in the image on the screen.





The students I work with predominately have severe physical disabilities or health impairments. For some of my students, simply standing in a standing frame for 15 minutes and keeping their head up or  lying down and lifting their arms up against gravity are hugely challenging tasks that are a part of their physical program.

These activities can be very draining on their energy, so any idea of also throwing in some academic work at the same time quickly goes out the window. Finding an activity to motivate these kids to do physical tasks can be very tricky, and that is where I came across PO-motion.

Students are instantly engaged with PO-motion by the amazing visuals that it projects on the wall or interactive whiteboard. They are even more captivated when they realise that their movements control these images. All of the sudden they are doing everything they can to reach, swipe and move to activate every corner of the screen, and there are so many different activities available the students never get bored.

Some of the scenes you can download are games, where you have to reach out to certain targets, such as floating balloons, and you gain points for touching each one. Others are more abstract visuals that change colour or move as you do. My students have found both types highly motivating.

PO-motion is very easy to set up as a wall projection, especially if you already have an interactive whiteboard in your classroom. All you will need is a basic webcam and the PO-motion software and scenes.

To set up PO-motion, simply install the software on your computer and connect an external webcam. The webcam needs to be positioned directly in front of the interactive whiteboard, I found that down the bottom edge was best. If the cord isn't long enough you might need a USB extension lead.

Configure the webcam as per the PO-motion instructions and you are good to go.

My favourite scenes to use on the walls are balloons, 3D coral reef and squish the crabs for when you want students to stretch out and reach in certain directions or weather reveal and rainbow cloud for when you just want them to get moving.

Setting up a floor projection can be done, but is a bit more challenging. All the setup instructions are on the po-motion website if you are interested: http://www.po-motion.com/. It is also possible to create your own interactive scenes using their motion maker program.

Hopefully your students find this as engaging as mine did!