Student participation in lectures using mobile phones

Abstract

Electronic classroom response systems (ECRSs) are a way of increasing interactivity and student participation in large lecture theatres, leading to increased student engagement and enjoyment. In addition, they provide teachers with feedback on how well students have understood key concepts. However, despite of these benefits, adoption of ECRSs has not been as rapid as one might expect. Some of the reasons for this are associated with the technology that is used to implement ECRSs, which generally consists of keypads that need to be distributed to or purchased by students. An alternative that overcomes many of the problems associated with traditional systems is the Votapedia ECRS system, which uses mobile phones as “keypads” and the internet as the receiver and processor of the signals. This paper presents a case study on how this system was used in the second year Environmental Engineering course at the University of Adelaide.