 |
| 
Description
of Systems
WHAT
IS A CLASSROOM COMMUNICATION SYSTEM?
Classroom
communication systems offer a method of students transmitting
responses to a question posed by their teacher, with the compiled
results available almost instantaneously. On the way into class,
each student picks up an assigned device that looks like a remote
control. When the instructor presents a multiple-choice question,
for example, this transmitter sends a message (either IR or
radio frequency) of the student’s response to a receiver. By
looking on a screen (either a projected image or a TV monitor),
the student knows when his or her answer has been received.
The receiver then sends this information to a computer, which
quickly compiles the results for the entire class, and generates
and displays a histogram.
If desired, the software associated with these systems can be
used to “grade” each student’s responses and export those results
into grading spreadsheets.
WHAT
DO THESE SYSTEMS LOOK LIKE?
We are currently aware of four companies that manufacture and
sell such systems at competitive prices. Although the basic
idea is the same, there are advantages and disadvantages to
each system.
- PRS by EduCue,
Inc.
This is the system permanently mounted on the Colorado School
of
Mines campus, in Meyer Hall 220, 363, and 375, CTLM 102, and
a room in Coolbaugh Hall. It is available to any instructor
teaching in those classrooms.
Additionally, we have portable sets with 30 transmitters that
can be used anywhere on campus or for off-campus checkout
 Photo
by EduCue, Inc.
- CPS by eInstruction,
Inc.
This portable system is available for use either on-campus
or in
K-16 outreach. It takes only a few minutes to set up in any
classroom
in which you are teaching. Check out can also include a laptop
and
projector, as needed.
 Photo
by eInstruction
- H-ITT by H-ITT,
Inc.
We have one portable set with 32 student transmitters availble
for check-out.
 Photo
by H-ITT, Inc.
- Quizdom: We have
one portable set available for
check-out.
- iClicker: We have
one portable set available for check-out.
|
|
|
|
