Promethean Active Expression Voting System

A couple of years ago I did some research comparing different interactive voting systems and looking at if Interactive Voting Systems Improved Learning. At the time I concluded that some systems were a lot better than others and that I thought that a system that allowed proper text based answers (similar to a mobile phone) would not be to far away.

I presented my findings at the Scottish Learning Festival in 2005 and you can still download the audio of my presentation if you are interested.

This evening I went to a demo of the new Promethean Active Expression System – at last this is a system that I would consider buying for the school. It allows full text based answers as well as a whole host of other great features. I’ve never been a fan of ActivVote as it just has never offered enough but Active Expression has really got me thinking.

I would encourage anyone considering investing in a voting system to give this some serious consideration, organise a demo and view the 3D Demo on the Promethean World Site.

Now who wants to give £2000 to do a full scale robust test of Active Expression in a secondary school?

Comments

[Victoria Rodger]

Hi Ollie,

I have a set of the Expression handesets, just getting my head round them myself at the moment then will probably go for a trial with a secnondary school.

I am really impressed with the text based answers which can also be used to send questions to the teacher.

http://victoriarodger.edublogs.org/2008/02/19/activ-expression-voting-kit/

[Deivis]

Hello Ollie,

My school is part of a pilot project with the Active Expression and I've been using it since last week. The software that you need to use with the devices still has some hiccups, but I would give it an 8 out of 10. I've already used in a staff meeting and in my Numeracy and Literacy lessons.

By the way, I will definetely bookmark your blog to my favorites.

[OllieBray]

Hi Deivis, Nice to hear from you. I really like Active Expression. I agree the software does have its teething problems. But th text based answers are superb. OB

[Mike Elliott]

Hello

Ive just been contacted today by my ICT advisor to trial these after xmas. Could you give me some ideas of what it does, and also the hiccups?

Thanks

Mike Elliott

[OllieBray]

Mike, this is simply the best classroom voting system I have ever used and I've used a lot!

For what it does have a look at: http://www.mypromethean.com/uk/server/show/nav.5176

I think it does all of this and more.

As for hiccups - there may be training issues for staff and it doesn't always integrate with PowerPoint (this will be solved during the next software release).

Please let me know how you get on with the system - my experience has been 100% positive.

Ollie