29/8/2008

Ref: QD069

A leader in handheld voting systems, Qwizdom (Stand B2) is showcasing cutting-edge technology for the classroom in the form of the new Q2 RF handset and Actionpoint Suite software. With over 200 Scottish primary and secondary schools already benefiting from it, this ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ style voting system adds value to the efforts of the teacher, motivating all pupils regardless of their ability or learning style, and encouraging pupils to create their own assessment questions. By answering questions as a class, every pupil can participate anonymously with confidence, removing the embarrassment or fear of speaking in front of peers.

The Q2 RF remote has been designed for use in large groups, as well as with primary and SEN pupils. The handset uses a simple ‘send-on-press’ technology to help young children master it – they simply click on one button that corresponds to their answer as opposed to ‘multi-key’ which allows children to click on multiple answers. The small, light-weight Q2 remote uses advanced two-way radio frequency technology, allowing it to work almost anywhere and can be customised to encompass a school’s logo and colours. It also utilises new innovative display technology – E-ink which requires minimal power to display an image. This ensures that batteries last much longer, saving schools on replacement costs.  Raised buttons, which also include embossed Braille, make this handset even more SEN friendly.

Actionpoint Suite (available in eight different languages*) encompasses Adobe Flash-based games to encourage healthy classroom competition and diverse reporting tools to help teachers identify patterns of ability from their pupils’ test results.  Building on Actionpoint’s immense success, Actionpoint Suite seamlessly integrates into Microsoft PowerPoint, allowing teachers to assess their pupils’ knowledge via tests, quizzes and games. Useful for both formative and summative assessment, results can be displayed as charts, graphs and tables. The software can draw demographical information about pupils directly from a school’s Management Information System (MIS), enabling teachers to identify patterns in ability. Reports can be generated from every quiz, whether a formal end-of-module test or one used to break up a lesson, so is particularly useful for keeping a record of pupils’ attainment and progression throughout the year.

Qwizdom is compatible with all interactive whiteboards, and can also be used alone, as well as on laptops. This compatibility has received positive feedback from schools as teachers are not required to master new whiteboard software to use the system.  

Jamie Petrie, Principal Teacher at Craigour Park Primary School in Edinburgh, comments: “I find that handheld voting technology brings an indispensable ‘wow-factor’ to the classroom. I use Qwizdom to assess what pupils have learned at the end of social studies topics and it marks the answers for me, which is such a timesaver! This means I can spend more one-to-one time with pupils to address particular aspects of topics they find difficult. I have even started to get the kids to devise their own questions and this is revolutionising the way we carry out assessment.”

Gary Morrison, Sales and Marketing Director at Qwizdom, adds: “Actionpoint Suite provides teachers with a comprehensive way to assess their pupils’ knowledge and have fun whilst they do it. The software not only reduces the time they have to spend marking tests, but allows them to manipulate the data to focus on different pupils and demographics.”

*Actionpoint Suite is available in the following languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, Dutch and Swedish.

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