ARS Handbook

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

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AUDIENCE RESPONSE SYSTEMS All Right Reserved

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

All Right Reserved

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CONTENTS CONTENTS Introduction What is an Audience Response System?

The History of ARS Where ARS are used today

Benefits of Use Advantages of using ARS

Product Landscape Available ARS Products

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INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION What is an ARS?

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An audience response system (ARS) provides a means for communication and interaction between a presenter and his or her audience.

ARS allow large groups of people to vote on topics and respond to questions posed in a presentation, providing the presenter with real-time, immediate feedback.

Other terms for ARS (PRS) Personal response systems (CRS) Classroom response systems (SRS) Student response systems (EVS) Electronic voting systems ‘Clickers’

Audience

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INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION A Brief History of ARS

IBM builds ‘The Consensor’ system to improve previously unproductive meetings (yr)

1980’s

Commercially available systems: ’Classtalk’,‘Spitz Student Response System’, ‘Anonymous Response System’, ‘Instructoscope’

1990’s

‘Personal Response System’ (clickers) created by Abrahamson and Cue

2000’s

Clicker technology continues to improve and flourish outside of the education sphere (corporate, conferences, etc.)

Current

Allowed students to check responses on overhead screen Unique identifier built into each handheld

Stanford University (1966) and Cornell University (1968) build and install ARS into lecture halls

1970’s

Keypads and LED displays connected to instructor’s computer ‘Instructoscope’ provided individual student feedback

1960’s

System of dials, wires and three lights (green, yellow, red) used to indicate level of audience agreement

1950’s

Wired box of buttons and dials used to transmit student responses to instructor’s work platform

US Air Force develops the first ARS, integrating multiple choice questions into training films

ARS products are shifting away from separate hardware and are becoming web-based applications, accessible via mobile devices.

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INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Where ARS are used today Training & Education Conferences & Events Presentations & Meetings Common Use Cases Annual conference Town hall meeting Corporate Training Sales Presentation Focus Groups College lecture Monthly meetup Lunch & learn presentation Training webinar Shareholders conference call

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BENEFITS BENEFITS Advantages of using ARS Statistics Compared with a hand-raising group in which 76% of audience members responded to a formal question, the use of a ‘clicker’ increased audience participation to nearly 100% (Stowell and Nelson, 2007)

Increased Participation & Engagement More people respond to questions, polls, etc.

Gives shy and quiet attendees a voice

Instant Feedback Fast tabulation of answers for large groups Important participant data can be seen in real-time or saved for later evaluation

An ARS experimental group displayed greater comprehension of material presented, as well as greater retention of the material after a 3-month follow up test when compared to the traditional ‘lecture’ group (Rubio et al., 2008)

Greater Leaning Outcomes More attention paid to content being presented More material comprehended and retained

Formative Assessment Instructors gain insight into comprehension at the group and individual participants level Individual responses protect against social conformity/group think

Other Anonymity Peer interaction Contingent teaching Greater audience enjoyment

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LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE Available ARS Products Advantages/Disadvantages + No reliance on internet connection + Proven technology + Guarantees X number of participants access - Expensive - Added Logistical Work: Must receive, ship, pass out & collect devices - Complex setup generally requires on-site support - Limited functionality

+ Does not require internet access for attendees to respond + Affordable compared to hardware - Limited functionality

Hardware Based Physical devices passed out to each participant that communicate wirelessly with a receiver that is installed in each room.

SMS Based/Hybrid Participants use cellphones to respond to polls via text-message. Poll results are displayed on moderator screen, in real time. Some SMS based products also offer a web-based experience

Web Based + More feedback options available to moderators and attendees. + Inexpensive (relative to hardware ARS).

- Internet access required (steady wi-fi connection or ISP data connectivity)

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Attendees use their own web-enabled devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) to engage in presentations