Developing a class room response system for drag and drop activities

Tony Lowe
Webducate, United Kingdom

Classroom response systems are a proven tool for enhancing the ability of teachers to engage their students and also tailor the classroom activities to maxmise their learning. Most existing systems require that students use simple dedicated devices to engage in simple voting or text response activities. Low cost netbooks increasingly make it feasible that each student in the classroom could have access to a fully functional, internet enabled PC. As a result it would appear that there is now scope to develop more sophisticated activities to be used in a classroom setting, where in a similar manner to classroom response systems, the tools gather and offer basic visualizations of the responses to aid the teacher in directing further learning. This presentation will start with a brief review of the Webducate Dragster system and the aims behind this new functionality development. The main portion will be dedicated to a hands-on demonstration of the functionality including the tools for gaining an overview of the responses, viewing individual responses, and identifying and addressing problem areas etc. The three examples used will be a labelling activity, a creative exercise and a concept brainstorm. The presentation will conclude with a period for discussion, questions and suggestions. The audience will gain an overview of the system and hands on experience from a students' perspective. They will also have an opportunity influence the direction of future developments through the issues and suggestions that they raise.

Indicative Timings
1. Introduction (5mins)
2. Participants asked to try example activity  (3mins)
3. Results displayed on screen and simple analytical tools demonstrated (6mins)
4. Participants asked to try second example activity (3mins)
5. Again results displayed and alternative analysis tools demonstrated (4mins)
6. Discussion and questions (9mins)

Participation

Attendees will be encouraged to participate by undertaking the example
activities (using their laptops/netbooks etc), the activities themselves
will encourage discussion with other attendees.  Finally the discussion /
questions section of the presentation will be open to all to participate.

no refs