CEDO 525 - Enhanced Learning - Week 2 Electronic Response Tools

     Ok, so here we're supposed to compare and contrast electronic response tools.  We all know about Google Forms and yes it's pretty slick.  Lots of options, some nice designs to choose from, and output into Google spreadsheets all the whilst being FREE.  The only problem with tools like Google forms is that it requires a bit of training and the setup of Google accounts and it's infrastructure.  Sooooo...I'm going to go in a different direction with my comparison/contrast.  I'll take a quick look at response tools that provide immediate feedback within the walls of the classroom.
     I'll start with one called iClicker.  These are simply little remotes with a few impressive capabilities.  The teacher has a more advanced unit that can set up true/false, multiple choice, and yes/no questions on the fly.  The students then have receivers that they enter their responses with.  It's a great way to get quick assessments of the classroom's level of understanding.  The teacher clicker then displays the results on a little LCD screen so the teacher can adjust their focus or reteach certain concepts.  The teacher clicker can also remotely control slideshows or other simple presentations.  The knock on something like this might be the need to buy lots of these little clickers, which might get costly.
     Some other examples, which are very similar to iClicker, are the handheld response systems from SMART Technologies.  SMART has a lot more to choose from and seem to have some software options which provide a nice structure for later analysis.  These gadgets can also be tied into the SMART whiteboards, which have become prevalent in schools as of late.  There is even an option for students using mobile devices.
     The next one is called QuestionPress.  This one is a strictly web-based audience and classroom response/assessment tool.  That means that it is essentially available on any Internet connected device.  I'm going to use a quote from the creator because it sums it up beautifully: "QuestionPress is one of the few response web sites that allows you to offer a fully live session where you can control which questions are asked, when they are asked, in what order they are asked, and when and how results are sent to the responders’ screens. Questions can also be served at the responder’s pace with options that allow for the scores and correct answers being displayed upon completion."
     The  last one is actually an app for the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.  It's called eClicker Host.  The nice thing here is that you only have to buy the Host app ($9.99) and anyone else can install the free eClicker iOS app.  Obviously the "catch" here is that your school would have to have iPads or a similar device in order to make use of it.