Other software used for assessment with mobile devices

Dewi Lloyd from Steljes then presented a range of software products that are becoming killer applications for promoting the use of mobile devices in assessing learning in schools.

TurningPoint (a sophisticated class voting system that integrates well with Powerpoint) now runs on children’s own PDAs

Synchroneyes (now SmartSync) is classroom management software that connects a teacher’s computer with every mobile device in the classroom. SynchronEyes software is easy to use and offers a variety of features that enable the teacher to keep students focused on learning and redirect their attention if they go off track. Teachers can assess individual’s progress on the fly switching easily from individual to group instruction, they can send an instruction to every PDA and celebrate success by displaying an individual student’s work on the whiteboard.

Eduinnova sets engaging challenges – mathematical, spelling, grammar, science, life skills (the teacher sets the tasks) for a class with PDAs. The main computer assigns children randomly to groups of three who then work together to solve a series of challenges on their individual PDA. Teachers have been particularly impressed by the degree of cooperation that results, even between children who normally find it very challenging to work together. The nature of the Eduinnova activity design means that each group member must play a part. Children who would not normally speak to one and other quickly settled to work.

Personalisation by Pieces provides a framework with a ‘climbing ladder’ metaphor that delivers key skills (e.g. doing calculations, presenting to others, empathy and fairness) assessment in a reliable way at very little cost by empowering learners to take a much greater role in assessing and mentoring each other. Children can upload video and sound as well as text files for teacher comment, peer-assessment and progress records.