Live Assessment by Questioning in an Interactive Classroom

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of audience response systems as tools for promoting learning in an interactive classroom. The comparison with a popular TV programme is used to introduce the role of questioning in face-to-face teaching, before examining the intrinsic pedagogical benefits of questions. Technical aspects of different systems are summarised, and pedagogical issues discussed, based on the author’s personal teaching experience. Appropriate ways of using audience response systems in the classroom, and guidelines for question delivery are presented. New technology will continue to open up opportunities, but the challenge for the future remains to use the technology effectively and in pedagogically sound ways.