Abstract:

This work assesses a proactive learning methodology of students focused on the use of smartphones as an interactive response command as alternative of the use of clickers. For this, a self-developed tool called ZquizUALbot has been used. ZquizUALbot is a bot developed for Telegram (the instant messaging application), which allows the teacher to perform or program, very easily, the quiz that will be delivered in real time on every smartphone of the group. The developed software is cheap (free) and flexible to implement since the university students usually have Smart phone. In addition, it offers an interactive experience while encouraging the collaboration in the classroom preserving the anonymity of the student, this offers a greatest integration and participation of the group in learning. This method has been implemented in the classes of the Subject of Topography and Geographic Information Systems of the degree in Agricultural Technical Engineering of the University of Almeria, both in the theoretical classes and in the practices within the framework of a teaching innovation project. The assessment of the method has been carried out quantitatively through a survey proposed to the 90 students who belong to the subject. The survey has evaluated the following dimensions (from 0 to 5): Simplicity of the tool use, Usefulness of the tool in class, Improvement of the participation in class, Be aware of the explanations, Degree of satisfaction with the tool, Opinion regarding its possible massive implementation, comparison between practical classes or in theory. In summary, the experience has been valued very positively by the students who have been motivated using this technology. In addition, teachers are offered a tool to analyze during each class the assimilation of previous concepts and those explained at that moment.

Keywords:

Higher Education Innovation, Smartphone, Telegram, Bot, Interactive Response System, Clickers.