How do we get students talking in first year courses? Engaging students using learner response systems

Abstract

This project uses a learner response system with first year undergraduate students at an Australian university who are undertaking an introductory education course. The aim of the project is to improve participation in lectures and tutorials in the course. Although initially introduced in the weekly lecture, the trial was then moved to one tutorial class, with interesting and positive results. This paper is a reflection of both the course coordinator’s journey through the process of introducing this new technology to her students and changing students’ responses as they engage with this technology.