A platform of the type holding a plurality of normally-open electric
switches in position for activation of a selected individual switch by
application of a force in a direction normal to a surface of the switch
by a portion of a human body. An exemplary platform according to the
invention forms a dance platform on which a user steps to activate
switches in accordance with instructions viewed on a video display
device. A joining structure may by used to hold two platforms in a
side-by-side competition arrangement. A security vault may be affixed to
structure associated with platform to resist theft of a commercially
available game controller adapted to operate the video display and to
receive switch input from a platform. Certain aspects of the invention
include one or more, typically inert, practice platforms structured to
represent the user interface surface of an activatable platform. A method
for using a system of active and inert platforms is also disclosed.