Apps for Using iPads/iPods as a Student Response System Dan Herlihy
There are many Apps that turn an iPad, iPod or iPhone into a Student Response device allowing you to send quizzes and tests to them on the fly or for access on the web, capture ongoing responses to single questions broadcast to all, or even used to track ongoing daily class progress for at risk students – think RTI.
How do they work? These programs usually work one of two ways. There is an instructor app for either the computer or mobile device (iPhone, iPad, etc.) that the teacher uses to create the quizzes in, and send them to the devices. Then there is a student app that is installed on the iPad, iPod, computer, etc. that the student launches and uses to receive the quiz, and select their responses, which are sent back to the instructor. Most of these are low cost solutions.
They can be used to poll the class on questions, as a quick quiz at the end of class, or to just see what your students are comprehending from the lesson you are presenting as a formative assessment. Since many of these programs can capture the student name and their responses, you can view the results later.
iResponse & iResponse Pro on the iTunes App Store ($4.99 for iResponse Pro – the utility to create and send, $.99 for iResponse – the utility students use to take and send back.)
http://iresponseapp.com
- Can create and send quizzes to up to 35 devices
- See responses from students in real time on your computer
- A Mac/PC utility allows you to create, then send (broadcast) the quizzes
Launch application on your computer to begin class. On iPad, iPods, etc. log in with the App. Send questions from computer to students logged in.
TestMaker ($.99 on iTunes App store)
http://www.phonetain.com/Phonetain_Software/TestMaker.html
- Create tests on iPad, iPod or iPhone or on computer and sync for use to iPad, iPod or iPhone to use
- Can send tests via e-mail
Can make quizzes on iPad/iPod for learning. Student can use for review. Program will grade test taken as a percentage grade. Can set random order, time limits, export quiz. SRN (Student Response Network) Client – (free) & Server App (free) – SRN Client app on iTunes App Store, SRN Server App on website
http://studentresponsenetwork.com/download/
Teacher would Log into to Server program on computer to start, users log into Client app on computer or iPad/iPod. Teacher asks questions, users respond as text answer,
T/F or ABC or D. Result is graphed for teacher to see compiled responses on computer before next questions. Used for on the fly or in class discussions.
- Free for the unlimited trial that can support up to 5 users, $125.00 for up to 50 clients. Can only send (present) tests from a Windows computer
- iPad, iPod, iPhone Mac, PC and Linux users can take tests
- Active graphing of responses, creates a response log of all users answers in Word
- Paid version will save responses during session to a log that can be saved/printed
eClicker (free) & eClicker Host ($9.99 on iTunes App Store)
- WiFi based – teacher creates quiz with eClicker Host, sends to clients (eClicker) - Client app is free – 5 students at a time can log in for use.
- Runs on IOS devices only
Create quizzes (Question Sets) on iPad. Up to 5 students at a time can log in. You can then either send question 1 at a time or a set – where one question at a time will be presented. Set time limits for responses, see responses of all students graphed
onscreen. The quizzes can also be accessed from a computer as a student. This allows for a mix of devices logging in at the same time. Very easy to use and flexible.
QuickieQ
http://www.questionpress.com/ - response system utilizes internet access, accessible from any device
- Types of quizzes include Yes/No, True/False, Multiple Choice, Short Answer Fill in the Blank, Essay, Check All that Apply with optional text field, Rate Sort, Numeric, File Uploads, Multiple Choice with Images for Answers - Free trial account, $24.00 per year for up to 35 responders in a session - Grades, utilizes QuestionPress server for processing, storage, etc.
- Runs from their website, participants log in onto website. Can access from computers or portable devices.
ResponseWare http://www.turningtechnologies.com/ (free student app on iTunes)
- Requires subscription to one of the Turning Technologies polling software programs, contact sales for pricing
- Log in on computer, begin session, load question list – students log into session on iPads, iPods, other devices
o View results immediately on computer screen as you submit questions
- Easy to use, create questions ahead of time and save in account.
- Question types include multiple choice, fill in the blank, numeric response, and essay questions. - Quizzes can be printed for off device use
http://www.turningtechnologies.com/audienceresponseproducts/response options/responseware/
GWhiz Mobile Learning Assessment– connect via WiFi – www.gwhizmobile.com/Desktop/MLA.php
- Free to use for 120 days. Price range to connect to program for students to take tests - $2.50 - $5.00 per added login in – student (via device)
- Create quizzes on GWhiz Website using Google Doc - Free App for access on iTunes App Store
- Allow access to quizzes through password
- Can Track individual students responses in real time via the Google Doc – toggle between students score, data, and actual quiz via tabs at bottom of screen
- Study guides, assessments, other resources free or for purchase from website download or from App Store
Socrative – http://www.socrative.com/ (free) - To create a free online account go to:
http://m.socrative.com/lecturer/#lecturerLogin
- Currently a web based student response program to create/send quizzes. iPad/iPods can log in via the web. Responses to questions are displayed on the instructor’s computer in real time. Completed quiz results sent to teacher via e-mail. There is an iPad app coming soon to the app store.
- A room number is assigned to you for student log-in when you create an account.
- Students log into m.socrative.com and type in the room number to access the polling/quiz.
VClicker Mobile Edition – free iPad student app used in conjunction with program - Can be used with other SRS devices such as Mobi Mobile
- Free 3 month trial http://www.vclickerme.com/trialsignup/?product=vClicker -
http://www.einstruction.com/products/student-response-systems/vclicker-mobile-edition
- Need to call for pricing
Via- Connect (used in conjunction with Via Instructor)
- Various pricing levels listing at http://www.viaresponse.com/K-12Pricing.html - Free 45 day trial
- Annual subscription fees
- Use with Android, iPad, iPhone, iPods
- Create quizzes, homework, take attendance, quick polls Poll Everywhere – www.polleverywhere.com
- free for up to 30 students – requires internet connection
- In the free version each question is a “poll”. You can create as many questions as needed and send each individual question during a class session. Results are collected but not tagged to a student. Good for polling the class as a whole. - Can set up your own “site” for log in to the internet from a mobile device such as
an iPad.
Google Forms - www.google.com – free, a component of Google Docs
You can create a form in Google Doc’s by signing into your Google Doc’s account, choose Spreadsheet, then Share to create a form you can allow your class to log into, and see results live as they answer questions.
Step by step directions can be found at:
How to Use Google to Create Forms and Surveys
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/671119/how_to_use_google_to_create_forms _and.html?cat=15
71 Interesting Ways to use Google Forms in the Classroom http://edte.ch/blog/2008/08/23/10-google-forms-for-the-classroom/ Using Google Forms for Student Engagement and Learning
http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum /UsingGoogleFormsforStudentEnga/225850
68 Interesting Ways to Use Google Forms in the Classroom
http://edtechtoolbox.blogspot.com/2011/06/use-of-google-forms-in-classroom.html
Using the ActivEngage (Learner Response System) by Promethean with an iPad - both your computer and the ipads/iPods must be on the same Wi-Fi network -
ActivEngage is a product traditionally used with a Promethean IWB (interactive white board) as a classroom student assessment tool. You can poll students on the fly on Yes/No, choose ABCD, full sentences as well as Numeric, Multiple Choice, Sort-In-Order or True/False.
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/support/software/activengage/
It works using 3 different components. The first is the “Server Edition” application, which can be installed on a Mac or PC, allows devices to connect to the ActivInspire Software program when running on your computer, and collects their responses.
The second is the “Client Edition” can run on iPads, iPods, Mac or PC’s and allows users to answer questions that have been sent to them by the Server Edition, basically you sending the polling question to their device. This can be done on the fly or from a list of questions created ahead of time.
The third piece is ActivInspire, a free software download for Mac or PC where you create/run the questions from the Polling component of the application. There are many ways to log into and use the product, but for the purposes here I will be discussing how to use it with an iPad or iPod and your computer. The software download is free, and can be used with up to 3 devices for free. Purchasing a license will allow you to use it as a whole class solution.
Once the ActivEngage Server edition is installed on your computer you can turn your computer into a “virtual hub” and allow your devices, such as an iPad to connect. The steps to connect are:
1. Open the Control Panel of the ActivManager Server software – either in the task bar on a PC or in the Finder Window – upper right – on a Macintosh. Choose the Connections tab, Manage Connections under
ActivEngage Server. Choose your computer and click Apply.
2. Launch ActivInspire on the computer that the ActiveManager software is installed on.
3. Launch the ActivEngage app on the iPad
a. Choose the register icon on the left edge of the screen b. Choose Register from the menu
c. Choose the compute the Server software is running from and click the Connect icon in the upper right next to Select a virtual hub to connect to: d. The iPad is now cued waiting for the questions to be sent
4. Choose the Express Poll icon in the ActivInspire floating toolbar (or from the Tools menu) to activate it.
5. Next choose the type of question to send from the (floating) Polling button.
a. This sends that option (question) to the iPad. When the student chooses, for example, True and
touches the send button, the response will be sent
to the computer and graphed by participant responses, who answered what, summary, etc. depending upon the option chosen in the drop down menu of the response window.
Within a Flipchart you can choose the Edit menu, Questions on Current Page to create a quiz that you can send, when this Flipchart is opened by using the Start/Stop Flipchart Vote button. The quiz that you create is attached to this Flipchart and saved with it when you save the Flipchart.
You can then open the Flipchart at anytime, and choose the Start/Stop Flipchart Vote button to send this particular quiz.
