Phase+3

**Technology Description**

The software that was used in this project is called SMART response. SMART response is a program that runs within the SMART notebook software provided by the company Smart Tech. The software allows the teacher to create questions, class lists, and engage students in lesson activities through the “Teacher Tools” toolbar Teachers are able.
 * //Software// **

 The hardware that is required for use of SMART response is a PC or MAC and you have to have an radio frequency (RF) receiver that plugs into the USB port of the computer, as well as a class set (30) SMART XE remotes, commonly called “clickers.” The SMART XE comes with a small display screen, a full keyboard, and specific math and science keys to be used when writing equations or formulas. With this software program educators are also able to track student progress over time. The can add questions to preexisting power point presentations, and also give paper based assessments via SMART response. The combination of using the software and SMART XE makes engagement and instant occur.
 * //Hardware// **



In order for the clickers to be used in the classroom the professor has to check them out for use from the Instructional Support and Development office on the college’s campus. For those students that have special needs there is a different type of clicker that can be used in class called the SMART LE, which is specially designed for use by special needs students. The professor can just request that this type of clicker be included in the set that they check out. The professor decided to use questions for the pre and post assessments that vary in difficulty level in order to differentiate the content of the unit. Modified forms of these questions were also used as a review or “spot check” during lecture presentations.
 * //Access// **

Copies of materials we used in this project can be found on my wiki on the Phase 2 page. A link to the survey that was given to students at the conclusion of the project can be found by clicking [|here].
 * //Copies of the Materials// **

Before teaching each class the professor will check out a set of clickers with the IS&D department. At the beginning of each class each student will grab a clicker out of the bag in the front of the room as they walk in and return the clicker at the conclusion of the course. One issue that we encountered was having the software updated on the computer. The computer had to be reformatted to run Windows 7 instead of Windows Vista. This problem was taken care of by the IT department on campus. Another issue we encountered was located the overall results of the assessments. We easily found a solution to this problem by going to the smarttech.com site and searching for specifics on how to do this.
 * //Logistics Plan// **

This project spaded over a 2 week Biology unit discussing the topics of mitosis, meiosis, and cell division. Prior to implementation of the clickers the professor provided me with a class list, objectives, and curriculum for the unit. I set up her class lists and questions for the use during the pre assessment. For the post assessment the professor completed these tasks. On the first day of the unit the professor gave the students the pre assessment via the SMART response clicker system. Each week she would check out the clickers for use in her lecture presentations from IS&D. She also added modified versions of the pre assessment and post assessment questions to SMART response to check to see if students were understanding the content. At the conclusion of the unit the professor gave the post assessment to students to see if their understanding had improved based upon use of the SMART response system. For both the pre and post assessment result information the professor and I looked at each of the results to see if the students had improved their performance because of use of the clickers. 18 students out of the 25 showed up for the course and participated in this project, 13 males and 5 females. Roughly, 70% of the class ESOL, and the professor pointed out that she hoped the clickers would help to improve vocabulary skills in a science context .
 * //Implementation// **