Audience response systems: an update

We have been working to provide a facility for all academic staff to have access to an audience response system that can be used in lectures, workshops and seminars to elicit answers to questions, comments, votes, rankings .. etc from the attendees.

Having evaluated the many options, we chose TurningPoint as the solution that best fitted our requirements.  The business case for TurningPoint has been agreed and we are seeking to fund the initiative.

In the interim, if you want to use an audience response system, there are 3 main alternatives from which to choose.

1.  TurningPoint clickers.  We have approximately 260 clickers that can be booked through SNOW and used within PowerPoint.  Our version of TurningPoints is quite old now which means that time is needed to prepare and test this system before it is used.  For more information, click here.

2.  Mentimeter.  Using the free license, it is possible to ask 2 questions and up to 5 quiz questions.  Mentimeter has a variety of different formats that are very effective and engaging.

The options available:

The limit on the use of questions relates to a single session.  Each session has its own, unique 5-6 digit code.  If you need to ask more more questions, you can create more sessions.  If you use multiple sessions, I would suggest splitting them over time so that the need to enter a new code does not become an hindrance to participation.  For more information, please click here.

3.  Kahoot!  This system offers a competitive environment for individuals or teams to answer multiple choice questions.  Kahoot! has recently been extended to include functionality for discussion and surveys.  A new feature, Jumble, challenges players to place answers in the correct order rather than selecting a single correct answer.

The free licences for Mentimeter and Kahoot! give restricted and full access respectively.

Many staff at BU are using these tools and the response is very positive.  If you are one of these members of staff, please consider sharing your experience with others.

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