There is a significant body of evidence that greater interaction in face-to-face teaching situations results in increased understanding of complex subject matter, and greater enthusiasm amongst students for learning. Although interaction can of course be introduced without using technology, the presence of an electronic voting system (EVS) encourages valid interaction, as well as encouraging staff to reflect on the potential that student engagement offers to the learning experience. An electronic voting system also offers additional opportunities beyond non-technical approaches, such as students being able respond anonymously (which encourages participation) and the teacher being able to display timely feedback about the group’s responses.

Today the use of EVS is seen as a powerful approach to enliven the traditional lecture format and deepen the learning that takes place.

Features of EVS systems

EVS hardware usually comprises of a number of wireless battery-powered handsets with numeric entry keypads. The lecturer has a receiver attached to their computer that is then able to accept responses from the handsets and graphically display the results back via a data projector. Typically, multiple choice questions are inserted into the PowerPoint presentation used in the lecture and at the appropriate slide ‘polling’ is opened and the students are invited to vote.

EVS at the University of Surrey

Since 2006 the University has owned an electronic voting system that any university staff member can request to use in their teaching.

The system comprises TurningPoint radio frequency (RF) handsets and software by U.S. company Turning Technologies. The university holds approximately 3000 RF handsets that are available for students on authorised modules to borrow on an individual basis from the library. Students borrow the handsets on a semester-long loan. New for 2011/12 is the ability for students to respond in a class via their smartphone or web-connected device, see ResponseWare for further details. The USB receivers used on the presenter's computer are lent directly from the CEAD to staff whose usage requests are approved.

Pedagogy

We are advocating using EVS to facilitate a shift to student-centred instruction. EVS can provide an opportunity to take a fresh look at the function of the traditional lecture format and to steer away from ‘coverage’ of material towards a space for students to think, engage and learn. A well-designed question, with possible responses that express common misconceptions, can facilitate lively student discussion about a topic. By allowing time for this discussion, either before or after students submit a response, the lecturer can encourage students to reflect upon, explain and justify their understanding.

“Some of the most mature uses of voting technology in lectures (e. g. Dufresne, Gerace, Leonard, Mestre, & Wenk, 1996; Mazur 1997) are based on using seemingly simple questions to get at the fundamental concepts of the subject. The researchers, based in physics education, found that many students could mechanically work their way through the problems to get the right answer, but had little understanding of what the result really meant in terms of fundamental physics. Their seemingly simple questions tend to split the class, and then students argue with each other as to the correctness of their own answer. This articulation of their reasoning process is believed to be highly effective in promoting a deep engagement with the concepts. A second vote determines how the class is progressing and whether the lecturer needs to step in. The initial vote is crucial because it encourages each student to commit to an answer, an essential starting point from which to launch into a serious discussion.”

Banks, David A. (Editor). Audience Response Systems in Higher Education: Applications and Cases.
Hershey, PA, USA:
Information Science Publishing, 2006. p 70.

(University of Surrey staff and students can login to access an electronic version of this book
http://site.ebrary.com/lib/surreyuniv/Doc?id=10120273&ppg=88)

Finding Out More

In October 2011 CEAD hosted the first European TurningTechnologies conference, focusing on how to increase engagement and feedback within the classroom through use if EVS. To see videos of some of the sessions please visit the conference page within YouTube

For support materials, FAQs and details of workshops about EVS then please visit our EVS support page.  If you are currently using EVS in your teaching or are considering its use, CEAD can provide a range of support, consultancy and resources to aid you.  Please contact us at e-learning@surrey.ac.uk.