Submitted by Shelby Meints
May 2015
ActiVote is an example of a student response system or learning response system. This specific response system allows teachers to poll students at any time during class to assess progress and, based on responses, customize lessons to specific student needs. Using ActiVote will allow you to determine if students truly grasp the lesson content without having to create and administer a formal assessment. Each member of the class will have an ActiVote clicker. The entire class then clicks a choice A-F to respond to a question posed by the teacher, and the answers are instantly viewed. This technology encourages students to be engaged throughout a lesson which helps the teacher be more effective.
ActiVote may seem like an outdated technology, but that is not the case. It can be used with a newer software called ClassFlow. The ActiVote technology, ActivInspire, can work directly with ClassFlow, allowing the teacher to share information with students along with prompting questions and receiving immediate feedback. ClassFlow is a free technology that can be used in any classroom.
To learn more about ClassFlow and how it works with ActiVote please visit: https://classflow.com/about/content/activinspire.html
I think ActiVote is a helpful tool that teachers can use frequently in the classroom. It provides opportunities for every student in the class to actively participate in class discussions without having a computer in front of them. Although there are many other learning response systems out there, ActiVote is durable and easy to use. Allowing students to have the opportunity to use technology during instruction has the ability to keep students engaged. Because ActiVote is simple to use, students will not be distracted trying to use the technology. One of the things I think is most appealing about using ActiVote is that it allows students to answer questions anonymously which will promote students to answer questions honestly. This way, the teacher can decide the instructional route to use.
If you are interested in using ActiVote in your classroom you may find more information at: http://www.prometheanworld.com/us/english/education/products/assessment-and-student-response/activote/
