SOCRATIVE

Socrative is another web based application to which I was introduced to.  This is another assessment type tool which can be used in different modes.  Once you have prepared a quiz then you can login and issue your learners a room code for them to gain access, but only a maximum of fifty learners can be logged into the room. The quiz can then commence.

As shown below it allows for quizzes to be teacher paced, student paced and student paced with immediate feedback.

The quick question option allows for multiple choice, true or false, or short answer, all of which offer differentiation in the level and type of questions and answers.

Another mode allows for the assessment to be in teams and encourages group discussion, peer learning, competition and the option relating to immediate feedback and scores.  Dervan (2014) finds that the use of a student response system such as Socrative helps the lecturer and students to better engage and be involved in the learning session.

The key part of using Socrative is the reports which can be obtained, as shown below.

The reports will allow the teacher to assess which question areas the learner is in need to help and where they are doing well in.  The live feedback option allows the teacher to then adapt the lesson and perhaps recap on their prior learning to reinforce concepts to allow learners to progress onto the next topic section.

What is clear about Socrative is that it is principally an assessment application and without any presentation features.  This is great as the lesson can have set assessment points when learners can log in and complete a quick quiz, which will help those shy learners who might be reluctant to answer in front of the rest of the class.

Although I have not had the opportunity to use the software at this juncture, I will be looking to introduce it in my placement and also when teaching in my volunteering role.

References:

Dervan, P 2014, 'Enhancing In-class Student Engagement Using Socrative (an Online Student Response System): A Report', AISHE-J: The All Ireland Journal Of Teaching & Learning In Higher Education, 6, 3, pp. 1801-18013, Education Source, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 January 2016.

http://www.socrative.com/ (Accessed on: 21 October 2015).