VU University uses SMS as aid for lectures

Datum nieuwsfeit: 13-02-2009

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VU University uses SMS as aid for lectures

13 Feb 2009

VU University Amsterdam will be the first university to introduce a new form of lecture starting on 9 February. PowerPoint presentations will include questions that students can answer by SMS message.

The results of the SMS messages will be immediately visible in a bar chart. This way, the lecturer can quickly asses the students' knowledge for the next exam for instance, but the SMS votes can also provide visibility on opinions. It is a useful tool to start discussions.





Anonymous
VU University tested the interactive method during a four-month trial period and decided to continue using it after receiving positive reactions. Students as well as lecturers are enthusiastic about the new form of lecture. Wilma van den Brink (Information Specialist, VU University Library): "I received many positive reactions from students about this way of engaging with learning materials. One of the things they like is that they can remain anonymous when sending their answers".

Because students can send a reply anonymously they are more likely to give honest answers. This differs from assessing knowledge by having them raise their hand, which often causes fear of providing the wrong answer. The system enables the lecturers to make the lecture more interactive. Furthermore, lecturers will gain better insight in whether their students know the material. If it turns out after an assessment that many mistakes have been made, the lecturer can immediately provide more explanation.

Boring presentations
A number of universities have already shown interest in this new way of lecturing. The company that facilitates the voting is Sendsteps. This new form of interaction has been conceived and developed there. Mike Coumans, director of Sendsteps: "Presentations are often hard to understand and sometimes boring. The audience is not always involved, even though they are the ones that have to assimilate the knowledge. The cooperation between the presenter and the audience is often not ideal. We used that to our advantage and SMS2vote is the result."