Abstract:

Lectures in courses are generally considered to be a passive form of learning in comparison to the more active methods, such as solving exercises and tutorials or attending lab sessions. Still, it is possible to emphasize active learning in lectures by utilizing educational technology adequately. In this article, we describe a poll tool created for ViLLE – a collaborative education tool developed at the Department of Information Technology, University of Turku. The system enables teachers to create multiple choice questions that can be connected to lecture topics. The students can answer the questions with their computer or with any other mobile device, with dedicated applications for all major mobile platforms. After students have answered to the poll, the teacher can easily visualize the distribution of answers. In the article, the design and implementation of the tool are described. In addition to technical implementation, we also provide an analysis of a survey measuring students’ opinions and experiences about using the poll tool throughout a course. Finally, suggestions for other educators for adapting similar tools effectively in their lectures are provided.