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Ask the Audience

Making lectures more interactive using electronic voting systems

Patrick McGurk, University of Greenwich

Teaching and Learning Conference

July 2009

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Overview

1. Introduction (5 mins)

2. Practical demonstration (10 mins)

3. Presentation and discussion of student feedback (10 mins)

4. Discussion of value and application of technology (10 mins)

5. Final Q&A (5 mins)

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Why electronic voting systems?

Large lectures Less contact time Falling attendance over the course of lecture

series Evidence of shallow, rather than deep

understanding

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Personal Response System (PRS)

PRS was developed by Professor Nelson Cue at Hong Kong University of Technology and has now been adopted by hundreds of educators worldwide

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Turning Point – Response Card

•powered by a small watch battery•uses portable USB radio receiver •up to 83,000 responses within a 400 ft range •can be fixed to lecture theatre desks•can be bought/borrowed by students •can be used as a mobile kit with smaller groups

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Practical Demonstration

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Student Feedback from Pilot Project

Electronic voting systems used on 15-credit courses, September-December 2008 BA Business Management & BA Hons Human Resource

Management, Yr1 (approx 150 students) BSc Biosciences, Yr2 (approx 50 students)

Business School pilot Average 135 responses to 7 questions Data collected using the Turning Point technology on 2

December 2008 Report generated using the Turning Point software

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The use of electronic voting handsets made lectures more

enjoyable56.30%

24.60%

6.30% 2.80%9.90%

StronglyAgree

Agree Neutral Disagree StronglyDisagree

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The use of electronic voting handsets was pointless

9.70% 6.70% 8.20%

40.30%35.10%

StronglyAgree

Agree Neutral Disagree StronglyDisagree

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The use of electronic voting handsets made me follow the

lecture more closely

21%

41.30%

26.80%

9.40%1.50%

StronglyAgree

Agree Neutral Disagree StronglyDisagree

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The use of electronic voting handsets challenged me to think

more deeply about how well I understood the topics

27.20%

44.10%

10.30% 10.30% 8.10%

StronglyAgree

Agree Neutral Disagree StronglyDisagree

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The use of electronic voting handsets made me read more to

make sure I understood the topics

17%

36.40%

23.30%15.50%

7.80%

StronglyAgree

Agree Neutral Disagree StronglyDisagree

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The use of electronic voting handsets made me discuss the

topics with colleagues more than I normally would

21.20%

38.60%

16.70% 16.70%6.80%

StronglyAgree

Agree Neutral Disagree StronglyDisagree

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The use of electronic voting handsets was too disruptive

5.30%11.30%

24.80%

36.80%

21.80%

StronglyAgree

Agree Neutral Disagree StronglyDisagree

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Discussion

1. Would the use of electronic voting systems be desirable in your own teaching?

2. What would be the main issues for you / your colleagues / your institution?

Q&A

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Contacts

Paul Dyer Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science

Room: Grenville 210A (Medway)Email: dp47@gre.ac.ukTel: 020 8331 9046Fax: 020 8331 9805

Patrick McGurk Senior Lecturer in Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour

Room: QA157Email: mp71@gre.ac.uk

Tel. 020 8331 9060Fax. 020 8331 9005