Audience Response Systems (Polling Technology/Clickers)
The TurningPoint Clickers Hardware solution that we have employed here at Swansea for a number of years was discontinued in July 2016.
Click here for support information for this discontinued product.
We kept this system running until recently, but due to issues of compatibility with modern operating systems, that position became untenable. As of the 19/20 academic year a centrally supported TurningPoint solution was no longer available.
However, we have been considering the wide range of freeware available. Often this is a function limited version of a larger pay for product. The limits that different companies have placed on their products vary. This means that, whilst not all of them will suit all your needs for all circumstances, there should be one to fit most needs.
The charts linked to below show a comparison of the functionality available within each of the freeware products that staff reported they were using. All of the products in the charts have been cleared with IT security for use in class.
Audience Response System Comparison Charts (Click here to view)
The Matrices have been produced with a view to helping inform you when looking for a voting system that will fit into your sessions.
The Learning, Teaching and Quality (LT&Q) committee has passed the following solution for the time being:
- SALT will continue to provide pedagogic support for audience response systems
- The decision on which suitable solution to use will lie with academic staff, based on the comparison matrix and their teaching requirements
For more information:
Bb Collaborate session exploring options, TEL Week May 2019. (open link in Chrome)
Chan, S.C.H.; J.C.L. Wan and S. Ko (2019) ‘Interactivity, active collaborative learning, and learning performance: The moderating role of perceived fun by using personal response systems’, in The International Journal of Management Education, Vol 17 (1) 94-102 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2018.12.004
Ko, L.N., J. Rana and S. Burgin (2017) ‘Teaching & Learning Tips 5: Making lectures more “active”‘,in International Journal of Dermatology, Vol. 57 (3), 351-354. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.13701
Papadopoulos P.M., Natsis, A, Obwegeser N. and A. Weinberger (2018) ‘Enriching feedback in audience response systems: Analysis and implications of objective and subjective metrics on students’ performance and attitudes’, in Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, Vol. 35 (2), 305-316. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12332
