Summary of MediaTech’s Evaluation of 3 Selected Classroom Response Systems
May 6, 2009 About the Companies H‐ITT Hyper‐Interactive Teaching Technology is a provider of interactive electronic audience systems. Their system was developed by “educators for educators.” Founded in 2001 this company’s technology is currently in use by several thousand institutions. Their system features instant feedback for the lecturer and student and software that is cross‐platform with Windows, Mac and Linux. Student Remote CMU Bookstore Cost, $46.75 iClicker Like H‐ITT’s product, iClicker’s classroom response technology was developed by higher education faculty back in 1997. The company was acquired by MacMillan, a publishing company in 2005. Their product is used at more than 700 institutions with more than 50 campus‐wide adoptions. Their system features an ease of use and implementation, helping to focus on content rather than technology. Student Remote CMU Bookstore Cost, $36 Turning Technologies Turning Technologies focuses on response technologies. They introduced their first software solution in 2002. Their product is used by more than 2,000 institutions. They offer a suite of response technologies to support a variety of features from the classic remote use, to web‐based polling and iPhone and Blackberry application clients. Student Remote CMU Bookstore Cost, $37.50
CS‐ATS:MediaTech
4/28/2009
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Summary of MediaTech’s Evaluation of 3 Selected Classroom Response Systems
Pro’s and Con’s Legend + ‐ Pro x ‐ Con Ramp up time Features Supported OS
Student User Response Grid2 Toolbar Over Any Application Screen Capture of On‐the‐Fly Polling Automation of Roster Building3 Application for Managing Responses (gradebook type function) Response Grading Import and Export of Responses
Student Remote Battery Battery Access On/Off switch Response Options ADA5 Remotes Web as Remote6 Vendor User Support On‐site visit Faculty Advocate Documentation Web Videos Weekly Webinar
iClicker Less than one week
Turning Point1 1‐2 weeks
Windows, Mac and Linux x Mac version doesn’t support full functionality (PowerPoint animations break)
Windows, Mac + Windows and Mac versions are virtually identical
+ Student responses can be displayed as IDs instantly Application can be minimized to a toolbar. x N/A
+ Student responses can be displayed as IDs instantly + Application is a floating toolbar + Available and integrates with iGrader + Web‐based utility + Blackboard integration + iGrader
Windows, Mac (limited) x Mac applications are poorly supported with a subset of features available on the Windows version x N/A
H‐ITT 3 weeks
x N/A + Analyzer Application
x Not available, but available with supplementary product x Not available, but available with supplementary product + Web‐based utility + Blackboard integration Excel Report Templates
x Weighted scoring or partial credit not available + Compatible with Excel or CSV4 files x No building blocks with Blackboard
+ Answers can be weighted or partial credit can be applied + Compatible with Excel or CSV files Building block for automation with Blackboard (currently in beta)
More than one answer can be correct. + Compatible with Excel or CSV files + Building block for automation with Blackboard
+ 2 AAA x Screwdriver Required x N/A 10 buttons x N/A x N/A
+ 2 AAA + Cover slides off + Available 5 buttons + Available Currently in beta.
x 2 coin x Screwdriver Required x N/A 10 buttons + Available + Available
+ Upon request x N/A + Available on their website + Available on their website + Available on their website
+ Upon request + Upon request + Available on their website + Available on their website + Available on their website
+ Upon request x N/A + Available on their website + Available on their website + Available on their website
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Turning Technologies’ primary application is TurningPoint. TurningPoint Anywhere is a supplementary application. Feedback grid display for letting students know their response has been captured. 3 Automated process of matching student remote IDs to students for grading purposes. 4 CSV – Comma‐separated‐values, readable by Excel. 5 Student remotes supporting Braille and vibration. 6 Also known as web‐based polling, using a web mobile device as a remote. 2
CS‐ATS:MediaTech
4/28/2009
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