from Tech&Learning
Student response systems get smarter
You've heard the buzz: student response systems are one of the fastest growing technologies
to secure popular classroom demand. Thanks to their ability to capture solid formative assessment
data, SRSs are the hottest ticket since the doc cam boom. New SRS models come with features that
expand their capabilities far beyond simple yes/no questions and instant feedback. Check out the
latest products on the market below.
Check the Specs
RECEIVERS
A student response system needs a
receiver connected to a computer.
The two basic types of receivers are
Radio Frequency (RF) and Infrared
(IR). The IR receivers are similar to
television remote controls; a clear
line of sight between the clicker and
the receiver is needed for the IR signal.
RF systems, however, do not need
line of sight, and so are better suited
for a large room.
CLICKERS
Each student uses a "personal
response unit"—a remote control clicker‚
to transmit his or her responses to
the receiver. Different systems use
clickers of differing complexity.
SOFTWARE
Each system includes software, usually
installed on the controlling computer.
This software manages the stream of
incoming data from the clickers.
Software features can include immediate
graphing of responses, spreadsheets
consisting of response data,
integration with presentation software
such as PowerPoint or Keynote for
instantaneous display of results in
table or graph formats, as well as integration
with classroom management
systems such as BlackBoard or Moodle.
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PRODUCTS
2KNOW
This RF system from Renaissance Learning
includes large responder screens that display both
questions and answers, and the ability to create
"on-the-fly" quizzes, as well as to generate formal
assessments using either your content, or over
8,000 ready-to-use items for math, reading,
language arts, science, and social studies. Kay
Mills, a math teacher in Ft. Worth, TX, likes the
variety of response types (numeric, true/false,
multiple choice) and features such as the calculator,
and its ability to store homework; she would
like to see report options or more ways to modify
the reports. (2Know! Classroom Response System
Package for 24 units, $2,199; 32 units, $2,831)
EINSTRUCTION
Their "Classroom Performance System" is available
in either RF or IR versions; it generates
detailed reports about how each student
performs in class and contains an integrated
gradebook; CPS users also have access to
thousands of teacher-created lessons with
graphics, display options, and other features
to enhance instruction. Norma Scherer,
Technology Staff Developer in Lynbrook, NY,
likes the way individualized study sheets can be
printed from the lesson—a real bonus, allowing
the student to review missed questions and to
see the correct answers while fresh in their
minds. (32 pad IR $1995.00; 32 pad RF $2995.00) www.einstruction.com
TURNING POINT
The TurningPoint ResponseCard XR system has a multiline
LCD display and alphanumeric entry. The system
includes TurningPoint 2008 interactive PowerPoint
software and QuestionPoint, a question bank of 30,000
assessment items aligned to state standards. Doni
Beaupre, science teacher (Campbell County, KY), uses
the system to administer pre-assessment tests to see
what students have learned before she begins a unit
of study. (24 Seat XR System $1,475; 32 Seat XR System
$1,835) www.turningtechnologies.com
Active Expression
The Activeexpression clicker can send complete
sentences and numerical responses. It provides support
for assessments such as multiple choice, true/false,
yes/no, multiple response, put in order, gap fill words, and
Likert scales. Heather Temske, Roswell, GA, likes the text
and numeric entry feature, "a huge help in keeping
students engaged and seeing where they are at a
moment's notice." She would like to see it be fully integrated
with the ACTIVstudio software, expected in January
2009. (Activexpression 32 handset $2,695; 25 handset
$2,375—Academic Price ) www.prometheanworld.com
SMARTROOM
Their "Beyond Question" interactive
SRS includes grading, the ability to
answer multiple choice, true-false, yesno
and survey style questions, and an
immediate graphing of results. Dr.
Marilyn Rhea, director of Northwest
Missouri State University's PRISM
Project says, "the added feature of saving
the student responses made it
much easier for our teachers to accurately
track student progress." She
would like to see the system add the
"capability for students to create short
answers and submit them." (Beyond
Question 20 base set $995 + $30 s/h;
30 standard set $1,295 + $40 s/h)
www.smartroom.com
ICLICKER
This RF system's software does not need to be installed;
it is preloaded onto a flash drive that plugs directly into
the receiver. It includes an "On the Fly" text box to easily
add questions, as well as a gradebook that can be easily
imported into other applications such as Excel,
Blackboard, and Moodle. Sharon Meyer, Barnesville
Elementary in Barnesville, OH, says she loves "that we can
collect data with programs we already own, with any
presentations we already have, or without another
program running at all." (32 remote system for $1,500;
50 remote system for $2,500) www.iclicker.com
IRESPOND
The three RF systems offered (UltraLite, Lite, and Touch)
all integrate with PowerPoint, include standards-based
reporting, and offer instant grading. LaMarr Broughton,
a math teacher in Tulsa, OK, says the iRespond system
motivates his class by giving them immediate feedback
and a chance to improve on the next question. He would
like to see more games developed for the system, and
additional test banks available. (Ultralite 16 user $745, 24
user $905; Lite 16 user $1,223, 24 user $1,665; Touch 16
user $2,795, 24 user $3,704) www.irespond.com
SENTEO
The Senteo comes with a gradebook to record each
student's results on assignments; teachers can tag
students with keywords that indicate attributes such as
gender and language spoken. Senteo integrates directly
with SMART Board interactive whiteboard's Notebook
software so teachers can easily add Senteo quizzes to
their Notebook lessons. Tiffany Markley, technology
support specialist in Madison, GA, is impressed with its
"ability to take a teacher's existing material and turn it into
an interactive activity in minutes." (24 units, $1,599;
32 units, $1,999) smarttech.com
QWIZDOM
Qwizdom's RF remotes support multiple question types
and displays instant feedback; the "help" feature allows
students to privately ask for assistance. Advanced twoway
radio frequency protocol will not interfere with Wi-
Fi or Bluetooth networks. Adah Stock's (San Antonio,
Texas) students love the immediate response; she sees a
bar graph of how students did and quickly knows where
re-teaching is needed. (Qwizdom Q4 16 users $1,350; 24
users $1,825; 32 users $2,295). Watch for information on
the new Q7 Presenter Tablet in the November issue.
www.qwizdom.com