HANDHELD LEARNING


Voting systems have become a key part of the handheld learning offer in our schools and as always will be a prominent part of BETT 2011


hildren are now living in a technology focused, multimedia environment where social networking, gaming


consoles and the internet play a predominant part in their everyday lives. Interactive response systems, sometimes


Do they get your vote? C


known as voting systems or handheld learning tools, have been adopted by many schools in the past few years due to their contribution towards whole-class engagement and a personalised approach to learning. Originally introduced to mathematics, IT


and languages, interactive response systems have helped many children actively participate in classroom discussions, particularly the children who may not have had the confidence before to speak up or voice their opinion. One of the main advantages of adopting


these devices is that they remain autonomous; pupils therefore feel more comfortable giving frank answers to sensitive subjects such as in PSHE. Through interactive response systems, students can submit a question or answer without their identity being revealed to their peers. With any class, there will be a percentage


of pupils who have confidence issues and do not feel comfortable giving their view on specific discussions; these can help combat this. They allow all students to become active participants in all classes.


Engaging with all students in a classroom


can also be difficult when students are at varying levels of learning; moving too quickly or too slowing from topic-to-topic can create a segmented environment. Interactive response systems have been


praised across the sector, not only for pupil engagement but also for playing an important role in Assessment for Learning (AFL). Response systems can be used to track


a student’s development and performance, allowing the teacher to capture a broad range of in-depth information, assessing the individual child’s strengths and weaknesses and whether there is a need for early intervention. By supporting both formative and summative assessment, the devices can assist in encouraging pupils to produce a high standard of work, increase motivation and production. AFL and engagement are the elements that


support a personalised approach to learning. It is integral therefore that each child is fully supported in their academic career and technology has been proven to aid this form of learning by giving time-constrained teachers the tools to evaluate each student, allowing them to identify, assess and adapt.


Exhibitors at BETT


A number of exhibitors at BETT 2011 are showcasing new interactive response systems and software, demonstrating to visitors and educationalists creative ways to use the devices in the classroom.


Qwizdom UK (stand H40) Qwizdom supplies interactive voting systems across the education, public and private sectors. Qwizdom, which is currently used in more than 2,000 primary and secondary schools across the UK, caters for all learning styles. Its range of ergonomic handheld student


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response systems come with Actionpoint, a specially devised plug-in for PowerPoint.


Interactive Education (stand D99) A company set up by education and training professionals to advance the effective use of technology, Interactive Education is demonstrating its interactive response systems to show how they enhance student attainment and the learning experience.


SMART Technologies (stand B50) SMART Response LE, designed for young learners, includes remotes equipped with five large, colourful buttons, and the LCD screen displays easy-to-understand icons instead of words. The full “qwerty” keyboard of SMART Response XE enables students to submit advanced maths and science equations, while SMART Response CE enables students to use their computers with SMART Notebook (Student Edition) software to answer questions.


QuizzBox (stand B90) For more than 10 years, QuizzBox has been providing education establishments in France with audience response systems and is now expanding to collaborate with foreign distributors around the world. QuizzBox says that its system combines quality software and remote controls. For assignments, students can answer questions with remote controls and the results are then sorted into Excel.


Promethean (stand B30) Promethean’s new class of assessment device allows students to express themselves through words, phrases, symbols, and numbers and instantly share with the entire class. ActivExpression provides direct communication and contribution to the teacher and the ActivBoard. With the intuitive design, students are engaged quickly and ready for each lesson.


SecEd • 5to7 Educator


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