Communication: Classroom Interactive Technology
By: Debbie Minor

Using a group response system to produce instant results can be very beneficial for both the instructor and the students. An interactive group response system allows the instructor to develop questions pertaining to their own lesson format and receive feedback from the students so they can determine students’ attentiveness and retention of the material being covered.

How to Get Started
The items necessary to use a group response system in the classroom include: a computer with polling software installed, a keypad for each student in the classroom, an interface or base station that talks to the keypads and passes the information to the computer, and a display device (monitor or projector) to display questions and results to the students. A computer audio system can also be used to play fun music clips while they answer the question.

How Does It Work?
Once a question is displayed, the students use the keypads to answer questions by pushing a button on the keypad that represents their answer choice. Once the instructor closes the vote, or the countdown clock is complete, a graph is usually displayed showing a summary of how the group responded.

Advantages for the Students
* Keeps your students involved – an active student stays alert, learns and retains more information.
* Provides instant feedback – find out their opinions, what are they thinking?  Do they know anything about my subject?   
* Helps promote discussion within the group – students who see that their peers share a common idea are more willing to express their opinions openly.

Advantages for the Teacher
* Tests the knowledge of the students before and after the class lesson to measure effectiveness 
* Can help keep your students and lesson focused
* Feedback in “real time” as to “how you are doing” presenting a particular subject
* Faster test scores

The classroom response system is a proven technology allowing the both the instructor and student to feel highly involved with the teaching/learning process.

Debbie Minor is the vice president of sales for Audience Response Systems, www.audienceresponse.com.