Design, Implementation and Evaluation of a Tablet-based Student Response System for an Engineering Classroom

Abstract

Student response systems (SRSs) have generated significant debate and discussion in the educational research literature in the past decade. It is well known that they offer several important advantages including encouraging student interaction, offering anonymous and instant student feedback and improving the student learning experience. While several different types of such systems exist, they nevertheless remain limited in their input capabilities. In particular, they typically only allow for multiple-choice style responses, although some devices do cater for numerical and textual input. However, most of the available SRSs do not allow for freeform input such as mathematical equations, graphical drawings or circuit diagrams. This is of particular relevance to Engineering and Science disciplines where such information is core to the student learning. The approach to solving a problem is often as important, if not more so, than the actual final answer itself. This paper presents a classroom response system that allows for freeform input and operates on any smart media device with a touch interface and that employs the Android operating system, such as everyday smart phones and tablets. The proposed system involves three different components, namely a student application that allows for sketch capabilities, a lecturer application that allows for the viewing and marking of multiple student sketches and a cloud service for the exchange of messages. In addition, this proposed system was evaluated by a class of engineering students at NUI Maynooth, the results of which are presented within.

A Practical System for Instant 3D Games Using Quizzes

“…Student response systems have been presented to facilitate the use of mobile devices in the classroom [2]- [6]. Electronic voting clickers using infrared signals [2], [3] or radio frequency [4] have been used for real-time interactions between an instructor and students in a classroom.…”

“…There have been many studies on how mobile devices can enhance learning in the classroom. Electronic voting systems using infrared [2], [3] or radio-frequency systems [4] have been used by students to anonymously respond to quizzes and have evolved into student response systems using smartphones or tablets [5], [6]. Also, special coursework utilizing smartphones [7], augmented books with handheld devices [8], and wireless classroom management systems [9] have been suggested to enhance classroom learning.…”

“…Previous research has demonstrated that games and mobile devices can improve classroom interactivity, motivate students, and encourage students to perform better than in traditional learning environments. However, previous research has focused on effective learning for students in specific subjects [6]- [8], [11]- [16]. System experts have carefully designed and provided games or coursework, which unfortunately often left instructors as passive consultants.…”

Evaluation of a Smartphone-based Student Response System for Providing High Quality Real-time Responses in a Distributed Classroom

“…Readers are referred to [12] for a comprehensive overview of the original tablet-based SRS. However, the main features of this system are presented here for the convenience of the reader.…”

“…This app was nes and tablets to be nsmitters. Thus, while ssue of portability, it nput and, to the best not been evaluated in use of a smart phone freeform input in the cular we employ an ting solution that we [12]. In this case, the ped for use on large ch).…”