What is it?
Software driven response systems have the capability to allow students to share their opinions. Often the voting question posed does not have a right or wrong answer, but enables the generation of various perspectives which can help to promote rich class discussion, particularly around ethical or moral issues or issues that require high levels of interpretation and judgement. Voting can also help students connect their personal experiences to more abstract concepts.
Why use it?
- Voting can be used to pose questions to students and responses can be collected and used as indicators of real-time student perspectives or comprehension on the topics under discussion.
- Effective ice-breaker or discussion starter.
- Enables students to see their own responses in relation to the rest of the class. This can be done anonymously and this can help to promote a safe learning environment.
- Enables students to connect new information with their current understanding, and to compare their understanding with other possible responses.
How do I do it?
| Synchronous face-to-face | Synchronous online | Asynchronous | Tools | |
| Student preparation |
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| Your preparation |
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| During activity |
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| Artefact |
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Tips
Most systems allow for two methods of questioning or voting:
- The commonly used one is a pre-created question that is typed into the software or a power point slide, for example, before class and asked at a pre-determined time.
- The other method is to create a question “on the fly” during class. This offers flexibility and spontaneous creativity.
Considerations
- Be familiar with the technology prior to class and practise or rehearse the process using a test student.
- Ensure the chosen voting software is web-based and accessible across most device platforms i.e. iOS, Android and Windows.
- Ensure students are given clear instructions and support on how to use the voting tool.
- Caution should be taken in the moderation of student responses. Direct students to the appropriate ‘netiquette’ material in your learning management system.
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You may use:
- GoSoapBox
- NearPod
- Socrative
- Menti
Resources
Clickers and CATs: Using learner response systems for formative assessments in the classroom
Exploring benefits of audience-response systems on learning: a review of the literature
