Learner+Response+Systems

• … (general purpose)
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 * Learner Response Systems (also known as audience response systems, student response systems, and personal response systems) are hand held devices that allow students to submit answers and questions to teacher questions that sends the data directly to the teacher’s computer. Learner Response Systems can include but are not limited to Promethean ActiVote, eInstruction CPS, question press, or student cellphones.
 * Here is a simple introduction video (I like their large hands!):

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 * Here is a video on a short introduction on “clickers,” the hand held device to use learner response systems:

**•Just the Facts …** · Equipment needed
 * The basic equipment needed to use learner response systems are a computer, learner response software and response devices (aka Clickers). The equipment can range from the software and hand held devices that come with an interactive white board, purchased software and hand held devices, or a website like polleverywhere.com and cellphones/computers.

· Cost >>   · Where to find more information
 * The cost can range from free (basic package with polleverywhere.com or already present in the school) to $$$$, but grants are available through most companies that sell learner response systems. Most companies prefer to sell to a school system instead of individual teachers.
 * Poll Everywhere: []
 * Promethean’s Activote: []
 * eInstruction CPS: []
 * Smartboard learner response systems: []
 * Question Press: [|http://www.questionpress.com]/

· Age/grade level · Limitations
 * Learner response systems can be used from an elementary classroom to a college classroom. So long as a student understands how to answer a multiple choice question, learner response systems are appropriate. All subjects can benefit from learner response systems!
 * Must purchase the software and clickers or the students must have cellphones or access to computers. Based upon the type of learner response systems, some allow only multiple choice/true false questions, while systems that are more complex allow short answer questions.

**•In the Classroom …**

· How can I apply it for teaching? media type="custom" key="8785084"
 * Learner response systems can easily be added into any lesson, by incorporating questions into your lessons as either the warm-up, checking for understandings during lessons, or ticket-out-the-door. They can even be used for assessments.
 * Here is a list of ways to use clickers in different subject areas, compiled by Ohio State University: []
 * Video on how to use a Smart board and Activote in an elementary classroom:

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 * Video on how to effectively create questions for learner response systems-it is about a college classroom but can be applied to any grade level:

· How can it benefit my students?
 * Quick analysis of data to see if students are grasping a new concept
 * Student anonymity because it does not show the other students who chose what, just the percentages, but the teacher can see who picked what
 * Interactive lessons that help to grasp the students’ attention

· Age/Grade Level
 * Learner response systems can be used from an elementary classroom to a college classroom. So long as a student understands how to answer a multiple choice question, learner response systems are appropriate. All subjects can benefit from learner response systems!

· Effectiveness (is there any research?) media type="custom" key="8785122"
 * Article on the use and benefits of learner response systems in the classroom: []
 * MSNBC article on learner response systems in the classroom: []
 * Feedback for learner response systems from Doni Beaupre: "I receive data with the charts to know where I literally need to stop and quickly re-teach a concept, or do a quick demonstration to clear up misconceptions. Rarely, I have an entire block who answers the question with 100 percent accuracy, and I have had occasions where 100 percent are incorrect. Those are the most teachable moments, but that is an obvious area of misconception." []
 * Video on how learner response systems in the classroom helps with elementary school students:

• Help, I’m Stuck …
· Lesson Plan bank
 * The good thing with Learner Response Systems is that you do not need a lesson plan bank! You can take any lesson you already have, add some questions, and you are on the way!!!
 * Here is a guide to using clickers in the classroom made by Vanderbilt University: []

· How can I access
 * Poll Everywhere: []
 * Promethean’s Activote: []
 * eInstruction CPS: []
 * Smartboard learner response systems: []
 * Question Press: []

· Tutorials / support media type="custom" key="8785140"
 * Poll Everywhere tutorial: []
 * Blog on using clickers (mostly focused on collegiate level, but the ideas can be manipulated for any classroom) - [].
 * Interwrite PRS set-up:

· Ease of use 
 * To use learner response systems, it requires a low to medium level of technology expertise, depending on the system. There are user manuals and help links in all the different choices for learner response systems, even help video’s for those who need to see the steps.

**•Check it out …**

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 * New coverage about a 4th grade classroom where learner response systems are being used: [|Click here] to view video, the owner has disabled the embed feature.
 * Here is an example of Poll Everywhere, the learner response system that uses cellphones/computers