SUMMARY
The Faculty of Humanities eLearning team conducted a pilot of TurningPoint and ResponseWare, in response to academic demand by staff seeking a system that would provide the same benefits of a standard classroom response system, but utilising the advantages of student owned mobile devices.

SOLUTION
Turning Technologies develops educational technology aimed at increasing interactivity and engagement in face-to-face teaching by allowing instructors to pose questions within their lecture to drive two-way feedback and discussion. ResponseWare interfaces and builds upon the TurningPoint polling software and ResponseCard keypads that University of Manchester faculty and staff already have in place. ResponseWare allows students to respond through their own mobile devices as an alternative to the keypads.

OUTCOMES
This project found that ResponseWare easily fits within existing teaching practices. The PowerPoint® integration provides for ease of use, faculty licensing capabilities support the university’s purchase model and the integration with existing ResponseCard keypads upholds inclusivity. Evidence collected through surveys of students in Dr Paul Middleditch’s Macroeconomic Principles, ECON10042 with 633 enrolled students indicate that students see this tool as providing an enhancement to satisfaction and learning. “Brilliant idea. We often turn to our phones when we lose concentration, interest or when the lecture becomes incomprehensible, so I think including our devices will keep us alert and participating, as well as checking if our understanding is correct.” - University of Manchester student