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{{short description|Type of interaction}}
'''Audience response''' is a type of interaction associated with the use of audience response systems, which combine wireless harware with [[presentation software]] to create interactivity between a presenter and her [[audience]].
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'''Audience Response''' is a type of interaction associated with the use of Audience Response systems to facilitate interaction between a presenter and their [[audience]].
 
Systems for co-located audiences combine [[wireless]] hardware with [[presentation software]]. Systems for remote audiences may use telephones or web polls for audiences watching through [[television]] or the [[internet]]. Various names are used for this technology, including real-time response,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/13/debate.dial.testing/|title=CNN to track debate viewers' responses in real time |first=Shirley |last=Zilberstein|website=CNN}}</ref> the worm,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-worm-poll.htm|title=What is a Worm Poll?|website=wisegeek.com|date=30 November 2023 }}</ref> dial testing, and Audience Response meters. In educational settings, such systems are often called "student response systems" or "personal response systems". The hand-held [[remote control]] that students use to convey their responses to questions is often called a "clicker".
== The Audience Response Process ==
 
More recent entrants into the market do not require specialized hardware. There are commercial, open-source, cloud-based tools that allow responses from the audience using a range of personal computing devices such as cell phones, smartphones, and laptops. These types of systems have added new types of functionality as well, such as free text responses that are aggregated into sortable [[word cloud]]s, as well as the more traditional true/false and multiple choice style questions. This type of system also mitigates some of the concerns articulated below in the "Challenges of Audience Response" section.
The presenter uses a [[computer]] and a [[projector]] to project her presentation for the audience to see. Presentation slides built with the audience response software display questions with several possible correct answers. The audience participates by selecting the answer they believe to be correct and pushing the corresponding key on their individual wireless keypad. Their answer is then sent to a base station - or receiver - that is also attached to the presenter's computer. The audience response software collects the results and the aggregate [[data]] is graphically displayed within the presentation for all to see.
 
== Co-located audiences ==
Depending on the presenter's requirements, the data can either be collected anonymously (e.g. in the case of voting) or it can be traced to individual participants in circumstances where tracking is required (e.g. classroom quizzes). Incoming data is also stored in a [[database]] that resides on the host computer, and data reports can be created after the presentation for further [[analysis]].
{{unreferenced section|date=January 2025}}
 
==Hardware The Benefits ofBased Audience Response ==:
The presenter uses a [[computer]] and a [[video projector]] to project a presentation for the audience to see. In the most common use of such Audience Response systems, presentation slides (built with the Audience Response software) display questions with several possible answers, more commonly referred to as [[multiple choice]] questions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cain |first=Jeff |last2=Robinson |first2=Evan |date=2008-08-15 |title=A primer on audience response systems: current applications and future considerations |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2576416/ |journal=American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education |volume=72 |issue=4 |pages=77 |doi=10.5688/aj720477 |issn=1553-6467 |pmc=2576416 |pmid=19002277}}</ref> The audience participates by selecting the answer they believe to be correct and pushing the corresponding key on their individual [[wireless]] keypad. Their answer is then sent to a base station–or receiver–that is also attached to the presenter's computer. The Audience Response software collects the results and the aggregate [[data]] is graphically displayed within the presentation for all to see. Some clickers also have additional keys, allowing the presenter to ask (and audience members to answer) true/false questions or even questions calling for particular numerical answers.
There are many reasons for the increasing use of audience response systems. The tendency to answer based on [[crowd psychology]] is reduced because, unlike hand raising, it is difficult to see which selection others are making. The ARS also allows for faster tabulation of answers for large groups than manual methods. Additionally, many college professors use ARS systems to take attendance or even grade answers in large lecture halls, which would be highly time-consuming without the system.
 
Depending on the presenter's requirements, the data can either be collected anonymously (e.g., in the case of voting) or it can be traced to individual participants in circumstances where tracking is required (e.g., classroom quizzes, homework, or questions that ultimately count towards a student's course grade). Incoming data may also be stored in a [[database]] that resides on the host computer and data reports can be created after the presentation for further [[wikt:analysis|analysis]].
Audience response offers many benefits to those who use it in group settings. These are just a few of the potential benefits:
 
Software/Cloud Based Audience Response:
* Improve attentiveness
The presenter uses a [[computer]] to create the questions, sometimes called [[Opinion poll|polls]]. In this case, however, those questions can be open-ended, dial testing, voteable, open ended, or [[multiple choice]]. Those questions are then downloaded into the presenter's [[presentation program]] of choice. During the presentation, the questions automatically display within the presentation program, or from a [[web browser]], and can in most cases even be displayed only on the participant's [[tablet computer]] or [[smartphone]]. Results are instantly tabulated via the internet and presented on screen in real-time, including grading the "correct" answer if desired. Some services offer presenters real time [[moderation]] for open-ended responses or questions prior to displaying them on screen.
* Increase knowledge retention
* Poll anonymously
* Track individual responses
* Display polling results immediately
* Speed-up decision making
* Foster individual ownership of group decisions
* Create an interactive and fun learning environment
* Gather data for reporting and analysis
* Confirm audience understanding of key points immediately
 
Depending on the presenter's requirements, the data can be collected anonymously, or it can be traced to individual participants who have created accounts in advance of the poll. This method is commonly used on corporate training where attendance must be verified and in classrooms, where grades must be assigned. Data from both methods can be saved and analyzed by the presenter and loaded manually or via [[API]] into [[learning management systems]].
== Applications ==
Audience response is utilized across a broad range of industries and organizations. A few examples include:
 
== Distributed, virtual, or hybrid ==
* [[Education]]
{{Expand section|date=October 2024}}
* Corporate Training
Only software or cloud-based Audience Response systems can accommodate distributed audiences due to the inconveniences and costs of hardware devices.
* Control Self-Assessment
* Delegate Voting
* [[Market research|Market Research]]
* Decision Support
* Game Shows
* Conferences and Events
* Executive Decision Making
* [[Continuing Medical Education]]
 
== Benefits ==
== Audience Response Systems ==
There are many benefits with the use of Audience Response systems (ARS). The tendency to answer based on [[crowd psychology]] is reduced because unlike hand raising, it is difficult to see which selection others are making. The ARS also allows for faster tabulation of answers for large groups than manual methods. Additionally, many college professors use ARS systems to take attendance or grade answers in large lecture halls, which would be highly time-consuming without the system.
An Audience Response System (ARS), or Personal Response System (PRS), allows large groups of people to vote on a topic or answer a question. Each person has a [[remote control]] with which selections can be made. Each remote communicates with a computer via receivers located around the room. After a set time - or when all paticipants have answered - the system shuts off and tabulates the results. Typically, the results are instantly made available to the participants via a bar graph displayed on projector.
 
Audience Response offers many potential benefits to those who use it in group settings.
In situations where tracking is required, the [[serial number]] of each remote control is entered beforehand in the control computer's database or the students identity number. In this way the answer of each individual can later be identified.
*'''Improves attentiveness:''' In a study done at four University of Wisconsin campuses ([[University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee]], [[University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire]], [[University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh]], and [[University of Wisconsin–Whitewater]]), faculty members and students in courses using clickers were given a survey that assessed their attitudes about clicker use in Fall 2005 and its effect on teaching and learning. Of the 27 faculty members who responded to the survey, 94% either agreed or strongly agreed with the claim, "Clickers increased student engagement in the classroom." The remaining 6% responded that they were neutral about that claim (none of the faculty respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the claim). Similarly, 69% of the 2,684 students respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the claim, "Clickers led me to become engaged in class," with only 13% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing with the claim.<ref>{{cite journal|last1= Kaleta|first1= Robert|last2= Joosten|first2= Tanya|title = Student Response Systems: A University of Wisconsin System Study of Clickers|journal = Educause Center for Applied Research Research Bulletin|volume = 2007|issue= 10|date= May 8, 2007|pages = 4–6}} A public version of the information, in the form of a PowerPoint presentation about the findings, is available at: http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/EDU06283.pdf.</ref>
* '''Increases knowledge retention:''' In the same University of Wisconsin study, 74% of faculty respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, ''"Clickers have been beneficial to my students' learning,"'' while the remaining 26% selected a ''neutral'' response (no faculty members disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement). Similarly, 53% of student respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, ''“Clickers have been beneficial to my learning,”'' while only 19% disagreed or strongly disagreed.<ref name= "educause.edu">Kaleta, Robert, and Joosten, Tanya. "Student Response Systems: A University of Wisconsin System Study of Clickers," ''Educause Center for Applied Research Research Bulletin''. Vol. 2007, Issue 10, May 8, 2007, pp. 6–7. A public version of the information, in the form of a PowerPoint presentation about the findings, is available at: http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/EDU06283.pdf.</ref>
**In a related study, Catherine Crouch and Eric Mazur more directly measured the results of Peer Instruction and "ConcepTests" on student learning and retention of information at the end of a semester. Faculty members using this "Peer Instruction" pedagogical technique present information to students, and then ask the students a question that tests their understanding of a key concept. Students indicate their answer to the instructor using an Audience Response system and then they discuss with their fellow students why they chose a particular answer and explain to one another their underlying thinking. The instructor then asks the question again to see the new student's results.<ref>{{cite journal|last1= Crouch|first1= Catherine H.|last2=Mazur|first2= Eric|title =Peer Instruction: Ten years of experience and results|journal = Am. J. Phys.|volume = 69|issue = 9|date = September 2001|page = 970|doi= 10.1119/1.1374249|bibcode= 2001AmJPh..69..970C|s2cid= 1893994|url = https://aapt.scitation.org/doi/pdf/10.1119/1.1374249|url-access= subscription}}</ref> The study authors used scanned forms and hand-raising for Audience Response in the initial year of the study and then switched to a computer-based Audience Response system in the following years. The "clicker" use was only part of a multi-pronged attempt to introduce peer instruction, but overall they found that "the students taught with P[eer] I[instruction] (Spring 2000, ''N''&nbsp;=&nbsp;155) significantly outperformed the students taught traditionally (Spring 1999, ''N''&nbsp;=&nbsp;178)" on two standard tests, the "Force Concept Inventory and the Mechanics Baseline Test" and on traditional course exams as well.<ref>Crouch, Catherine H., and Mazur, Eric. "Peer Instruction: Ten years of experience and results." ''Am. J. Phys.'' Vol. 69, No. 9, September 2001. pp. 971–72. Available at [https://web.archive.org/web/20110930165941/http://www4.uwm.edu/ltc/srs/faculty/docs/Mazur_Harvard_SRS2.pdf].</ref> A Johns Hopkins study on the use of Audience Response systems in Continuing Medical Education (CME) for physicians and other health personnel found no significant difference in knowledge scores between ARS and non-ARS participants in a clinical round table trial involving 42 programs across the United States.<ref>Miller, Redonda G., Ashar, Bimal H. and Getz, Kelly J. "Evaluation of an audience response system for the continuing education of health professionals." ''Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions''. Vol. 23, No. 2, 2003. pp.109–115. Abstract at [https://archive.today/20101225024257/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/110478084/abstract]</ref>
*'''Polls anonymously:''' Unlike a show of hands or a raising of cards with letters on them, sending responses by hand-held remotes is much more anonymous. Except perhaps for a student (our audience member) who watches what the person next to them submits, the other students (or audience members) can't really see what response their fellow audience members are giving. The software that summarizes the results aggregates the responses, listing what percent of respondents chose a particular answer, but not what individual respondents said. With some Audience Response systems, the software allows you to ask questions in truly anonymous mode, so that the database (or "gradebook") is not even associating answers with individual respondents.
*'''Tracks individual responses:''' The "clickers" that audience members use to send their responses to the receiver (and thus to the presenter's computer) are often registered to a particular user, with some kind of identifying number. When a user sends his/her response, the information is stored in a [[database]] (sometimes called the "Gradebook" in academic models of Audience Response systems) associated with each particular number, and presenters have access to that information after the end of the interactive session. Audience Response systems can often be linked to a [[Learning management system]], which increases the ability to keep track of individual student performance in an academic setting.
*'''Displays polling results immediately:''' The Audience Response system includes software that runs on the presenter's computer that records and tabulates the responses by audience members. Generally, once a question has ended (polling from the audience has ceased), the software displays a [[bar chart]] indicating what percent of audience members chose the various possible responses. For questions with right/wrong answers, audience members can get immediate feedback about whether they chose the correct answer, since it can be indicated on the bar chart. For survey-type polling questions, audience members can see from the summary how many other audience members chose the same response, along with how many audience members (or what percent of the audience) chose different responses.
*'''Creates an interactive and fun learning environment:''' Clickers are in many ways novel devices, so the novelty itself can add interest to the learning environment. More important, though, is the interactive nature of Audience Response systems. Having been asked a particular question about a concept or opinion, students are genuinely interested in seeing the results. They want to learn if they answered the question correctly, and they want to see how their response compares to the responses of their fellow audience members.<ref name="Beatty, Ian 2004, p. 5">Beatty, Ian. "Transforming Student Learning with Classroom Communication Systems," ''Educause Center for Applied Research Research Bulletin.'' Volume 2004, Issue 3 (February 3, 2004), p. 5. Available online at http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ERB0403.pdf.</ref> The increased student engagement cited in the University of Wisconsin study (see footnote 1 below) attests to the ability of Audience Response systems to improve the learning environment.
* '''Confirms audience understanding of key points immediately:''' In the University of Wisconsin study previously cited, faculty members were unanimous in their recognition of this key advantage of Audience Response systems. In other words, 100% of the faculty respondents either agreed or strongly agreed with the claim, "Clickers allowed me to assess student knowledge on a particular concept." Students also recognized this benefit for their own self-assessment. Seventy-five percent of student respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the claim, "Clickers helped me get instant feedback on what I knew and didn't know."<ref name="educause.edu" /> In a published article, a member of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Physics Education Research Group (UMPERG) articulated this advantage in more detail, using the term "Classroom Communication System (CCS)" for what this article has been calling an Audience Response system.
::By providing feedback to an instructor about students' background knowledge and preconceptions, CCS-based pedagogy can help the instructor design learning experiences appropriate to the students' level of understanding and explicitly address and resolve misconceptions. By offering frequent feedback about students' ongoing learning and areas of confusion, it can also help the instructor dynamically adjust their teaching to meet students' real, immediate, and evolving needs.<ref name="Beatty, Ian 2004, p. 5" />
* '''Gather data for reporting and analysis:''' Unlike other forms of audience participation (such as a show of hands or holding up of response cards), Audience Response systems use software to record Audience Responses that are stored in a [[database]]. Database entries are linked to a particular user, based on an ID number entered into the handheld remote device or based on a registration between the user and the company that manufactures the handheld device. Answers can be analyzed over time and the data can be used for educational research or other forms of analysis.
 
== Challenges of Audience Response ==
In addition to the presenter's computer and projector, the typical audience response system is comprised of the following components:
Audience Response systems may present some difficulties in both their deployment and use.
* The per-unit purchase price of ARS devices, typically 10 times the cost of a software only solution
* The maintenance and repair of devices when owned by a central unit or organization
* The configuration, troubleshooting, and support of the related presentation software (which may or may not work well with ARS devices)
* The reliability and performance of the devices under non-optimal conditions of the room in which the devices are used
* For hardware only applications: a lack of open ended questions, dial testing capabilities, and other non standard question formats
 
== Applications ==
* base station (receiver)
Audience Response is utilized across a broad range of industries and organizations. A few examples include:
* wireless keypads (one for each participant)
* Political campaigns
* audience response system software
* Political news events
* Corporate training
* Control self-assessment
* Delegate voting
* Public participation in municipal or environmental planning
* [[Market research]]
* Decision support
* Game shows e.g. [[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?#Lifelines|Ask the audience]] on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
* Conferences and events
* Executive decision making
* [[Continuing medical education]]
* ROI measurement and assessment
* Sales Effectiveness Training
* Hospital patient exit surveys
 
== Audience Response systems ==<!-- This section is linked from [[Education]] -->
An Audience Response system (ARS), or Personal Response System (PRS), allows large groups of people to vote on a topic or answer a question. Depending on the solution chosen, each person has a device with which selections can be made or a mobile device that they can use to respond. In a hardware solution, each remote communicates with a computer via receivers located around the room or via a single receiver connected to the presenter's computer using a [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] connector. In a software solution, each device communicates with the question via SMS or the internet. After a set time–or after all participants have answered–the system ends the polling for that particular question and tabulates the results. Typically, the results are instantly made available to the participants via a [[bar graph]] displayed on the projector or viewed in a web browser for some systems.
 
In situations where tracking is required, the [[serial number]] of each remote control or the students identity number is entered beforehand in the control computer's database. In this way, the answer of each individual can later be identified.
 
In addition to the presenter's computer and projector, the typical Audience Response system has the following components:
* base station (receiver) for hardware based solutions only
* wireless keypads (one for each participant), or mobile devices for software/cloud based solutions
* Audience Response system software
 
=== History ===
Since the 1960's1960s, a number of companies have offered Audience/Personal Response Systems, several of whom are now defunct or changed their business model.
 
Circa 1966, Audience Studies Institute of [[Hollywood, California]] developed a proprietary analog ARS system for evaluating the response of a theatretheater audience to unreleased motion pictures, television shows, and commericalscommercials.{{Citation needed|date=February 2014}} This early ARS was used by ASI's clients -clients– major motion picture and television studios and advertising agencies -agencies– to evaluate the effectiveness of whatever it waswhat they wanted to accomplish,: for example, selling more products, increasing movie ticket sales, and achieving a higher fee per commericalcommercial slot. Often, a client would show different versions to different audiences, e.g. different movie endings, to gauge their relative effectiveness. ASI would give out free tickets on the street to bring people into the theater, called the "Preview House" for particular showings. In these showings, each attendee would fill out a questionnaire and then be placed in a seat with a "dial" handset outfitted with a single knob that the attendee would turn to indicate their level of interest. Turning the knob all the way left meant "dull" while turning it to the right meant "great." In 1976, ASI upgraded their system to become fully digital, have Yes/No buttons and, in some cases, numeric keys for entering in numbers, choices and monetary amounts.
 
Another early system in the industry was the Consensor. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, [[William W. Simmons (executive)|William W. (Bill) Simmons]], an [[IBM]] executive, reflected on how unproductive most meetings were. Simmons had become essentially a nonacademic [[futurist]] in building up IBM's long-range planning operations.<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988pp138-187">{{Harvnb|Simmons|Elsberry|1988|pp=138–187|ignore-err=yes}}.</ref> He was one of the pioneers of applied [[futures studies]] in the private sector, that is, future studies applied to corporate planning. Through this work he had met Theodore J. (Ted) Gordon of The Futures Group (now part of [[Palladium International]]).<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988p188">{{Harvnb|Simmons|Elsberry|1988|p=188|ignore-err=yes}}.</ref> Gordon had conceived and partially developed<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988p188" /> what would today be called an Audience Response system. Simmons immediately saw practical applications for it in large corporate meetings to allow people to air their true opinions in anonymous fashion. So, each individual's [[Likert scale]] answer value for a question would remain secret, but the group's average, weighted with weighting factors, would be instantly displayed. Thus (something approximating) the group's true consensus would be known, even though individual middle managers or aspiring junior executives would not have to jeopardize their conformity to effect this result. (IBM's [[organizational culture]] was famous for its valuing of conformity; this was common at other firms, too<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988pp188-189">{{Harvnb|Simmons|Elsberry|1988|pp=188–189|ignore-err=yes}}.</ref>).
ASI would give out free tickets on the street to bring people into the theatre, called the "Preview House," for particular showings where each attendee would fill out a questionnaire and then be placed in a seat with a "dial" handset outfitted with a single knob that each attendee would turn to a position to indicate his or her level of interest: turning the knob all the way left for "dull" to turning all the way to the right for "great."
 
Simmons retired from IBM in January 1972,<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988p187">{{Harvnb|Simmons|Elsberry|1988|p=187|ignore-err=yes}}.</ref> and soon after he formed a startup company with Gordon, called Applied Futures, Inc.,<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988pp188-193">{{Harvnb|Simmons|Elsberry|1988|pp=188–193|ignore-err=yes}}.</ref> to develop and market the system, which they called the Consensor [connoting ''consensus'' + ''sensor'']. Applied Futures was one of the first Audience Response companies. In 1972, while Gordon and his assistant Harold S. (Hal) Becker were still working on development, Applied Futures filed for a patent ({{US Patent|3766541}}), which was granted in 1973 with Gordon and Becker as inventors. Another patent, filed in 1974 and granted in 1976 ({{US Patent|3947669}}), lists Simmons and James A. Marquis. Sales began in 1974.<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988p190">{{Harvnb|Simmons|Elsberry|1988|p=190|ignore-err=yes}}.</ref>
In 1976, ASI upgraded their system to become fully digital, have Yes/No buttons and, in some cases, numeric keys for entering in numbers, choices and monetary amounts.
 
The Consensor was a system composed of dials, wires, and three lights: red, yellow, and green. A question was asked verbally, and participants would turn their dials to indicate a value from 0 to 10. If the majority agreed, the green light would illuminate. If not, either the yellow or red light would illuminate, depending on the level of disagreement.
The oldest company in ARS that still offers both service and sales of ARS equipment is [http://www.quicktally.com/ Quick Tally Interactive Systems, Inc.] of [[Beverly Hills, California]], who, from 1982, has offered several different types of wired and wireless handsets. Currently, they are the suppliers for such venerable ARS uses as [[America's Funniest Home Videos]], [[Last Comic Standing]] and [[Reader's Digest National Word Power Challenge]].
 
Although business was strong for this fledgling company,<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988pp191-193">{{Harvnb|Simmons|Elsberry|1988|pp=191–193|ignore-err=yes}}.</ref> the [[command and control|command-and-control]] management style of the day proved a formidable opponent to this new tool, which promoted consensus building.<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988pp190-191">{{Harvnb|Simmons|Elsberry|1988|pp=190–191|ignore-err=yes}}.</ref> In his memoir, Simmons describes how junior-executive sales prospects tended to like the idea, imagining themselves heroically speaking truth to power (but not paying any price for being a maverick). Their senior-executive bosses tended to see the Consensor as "a blatant attempt to impose democratic procedures into a corporate hierarchy that is anything but democratic."<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988pp190-191" /> Simmons observed that "A majority of corporations are run as fiefdoms, with the CEO playing the role of Supreme Power; he may be a benevolent dictator, but nonetheless still a dictator."<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988pp190-191" /> He described this type of senior executives with ironic tone, stating they were "secure in the knowledge of their own infallibility."<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988pp190-191" /> Nonetheless, Applied Futures sold plenty of units to business firms and government agencies.<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988pp191-193" /> In October 1984, it became a subsidiary of Brooks International Corporation, a management consulting firm.<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988p193">{{Harvnb|Simmons|Elsberry|1988|p=193|ignore-err=yes}}.</ref>
 
One of the early educational uses of an Audience Response system occurred at Rice University.<ref>Lane, David, and Atlas, Robert. "The Networked Classroom," Paper presented at the 1996 meeting of Computers and Psychology, York, UK, March 1996. Abstract available at: "http://scholarship.rice.edu/bitstream/handle/1911/78034/networked_classroom_%28Audience_Response_System%29-1.pdf?sequence=1 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223043522/http://scholarship.rice.edu/bitstream/handle/1911/78034/networked_classroom_%28Audience_Response_System%29-1.pdf?sequence=1 |date=2014-12-23 }}"</ref> Students in a computer-equipped classroom were able to rate how well they understood portions of a lecture, answer multiple choice questions, and answer short essay questions. Results could be tallied and displayed to the class.
 
Audience Response technology has evolved over time, moving away from hardware that required extensive wiring towards hand held wireless devices and small, portable receivers. In the 1980s, the Consensor product line evolved toward [[peripheral]]s that could be plugged into a PC, and a software application to run thereon.<ref name="SimmonsElsberry1988p193" /> Wireless LANs allow today's peripherals to be cordless. Another example of this is [[Microsoft's]] Mouse Mischief, a [[PowerPoint]] add-in, which has made it easier for teachers, professors, and office professionals to integrate Audience Response into their presentations.
 
The advent of smartphones has made it possible for audience members to download an app (or run it as [[SaaS]] in their [[web browser]]). The app then communicates with the Audience Response system (which is itself just software running on someone's device, whether desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone) via the local wireless network, the cellular telephone network, or both. In this model, the entire audience response system is a software product; all of the hardware is what the users brought with them.<ref name="Devaney_2011-04-29">{{Harvnb|Devaney|2011}}.</ref>
 
=== Experts ===
There are two books that have been written specifically about Audience Response systems by people who are considered experts in the use of Audience Response technology. In 2009, [[Derek Bruff]], a professor at [[Vanderbilt University]], published ''Teaching with Classroom Response Systems: Creating Active Learning Environments''. In 2015, [[David Campt]], a meeting strategist and civic engagement consultant, released ''Read the Room for Real: How a Simple Technology Creates Better Meetings''. This book focused on using Audience Response technology in non-academic environments.
 
=== Hardware ===
The majority of audiencecurrent responseAudience Response systems use wireless hardware. Two primary technologies exist to transmit data from the keypads to the base stations: [[radio frequencyinfrared]] (RFIR) and [[infraredradio frequency]] (IRRF). A few companies also offer [[WebWorld browserWide Web|browserWeb]]-based software that routes the data viaover anthe [[IP addressinternet]] (sometimes in a unified system with IR and RF equipment). Cell phone-based systems are also becoming available.
 
=== Infrared ===
Radio Frequency (RF): Ideal for large group environments, RF systems do not require [[line of site]] to operate and can accommodate hundreds of voters on a single base station. Multiple base stations can be linked together in order to handle audiences that number in the thousands. Because the data travels via radio frequency, the participant merely needs to be within range of the base station (300 - 500 feet). Some advanced models can accommodate additional features, such as , multi-digit answers, user log-in capabilities and even multi-site polling.
The oldest of these technologies, IR Audience Response systems are better suited for smaller groups. IR uses the same technology as a TV remote, and is therefore the only one of the four technologies that requires line-of-sight between the keypad and receiver. This works well for a single keypad but can fail due to interference when signals from multiple keypads arrive simultaneously at the receiver. IR systems are typically more affordable than RF systems, but do not provide information back to the keypad.
 
== Use in educational settings ==
Infrared (IR): IR audience response systems are better suited for smaller groups. IR technology requires line-of-site between the keypad and base station. IR systems are typically more portable and affordable than RF systems, but don't offer the advanced features.
 
Audience Response systems can be used as a way of incorporating [[active learning]] in a lecture or other classroom-type setting, for example by quizzing students, taking a quick survey, or taking attendance.<ref>
Browser-Based: Browser-based audience response systems are still in the early stages of development. They are software-only system, intended to work with the participants' existing wireless devices, such as [[notebook computer]]s or [[Personal digital assistant|PDA]]s. The software resides on the facilitator's computer, who creates a polling session with an assigned IP address. Participants log-in to that IP address through their own Internet-enabled device. The participant data is transmitted through the IP address to the presenter's computer, where the data is stored. The data can then be displayed through the projector and also on each participant's wireless device. Because the transfer of data goes through an IP address, proximity to a base station or line-of-site is not an issue. The [http://www.beamstat.com/ BeamStat] and [http://www.dataplex.com/metadox.pdf/ Metadox] systems, for instance, use wireless networking to allow audience members to vote with any network enabled device, and can be used with laptops, PDAs, cell-phones, and handheld gaming systems such as the playstation portable.
{{cite journal
| last=Martyn
| first=Margie
| year=2007
| title=Clickers in the Classroom: An Active Learning Approach
| journal=EDUCAUSE Quarterly
| volume=30
| issue=2
| url=http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum/ClickersintheClassroomAnActive/157458
| access-date=2009-10-30
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028053317/http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum/ClickersintheClassroomAnActive/157458
| archive-date=2009-10-28
| url-status=dead
}}
</ref> They can be used effectively by students as young as 9 or 10, depending on their maturity level. An educator is able to generate worksheets and let students enter their answer choices at their own pace. After each question, the educator is able to instantly show the results of any quiz, for example in the form of [[histogram]], creating rapid 2-way feedback about how well learners are doing.
 
The fact that students can send responses anonymously means that sensitive topics can be included more readily than would otherwise be the case. An example of this is in helping students to learn about plagiarism.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Academic integrity: a quantitative study of confidence and understanding in students at the start of their higher education|first=Philip|last=Newton|date=2 April 2016|journal=Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education|volume=41|issue=3|pages=482–497|doi=10.1080/02602938.2015.1024199|s2cid=144164927 }}</ref>
 
Audience Response systems can also be used in classroom settings to simulate randomized controlled trials (RCT) such as "Live the Trial," a mock RCT used to teach the concepts of clinical research. The mock trial answered the question "Do red smarties make you happier?".<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Baker|first1=Philip R. A.|last2=Francis|first2=Daniel P.|last3=Cathcart|first3=Abby|date=2017-04-22|title=A Mock Randomized Controlled Trial With Audience Response Technology for Teaching and Learning Epidemiology|journal=Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health|volume=29|issue=3|pages=229–240|doi=10.1177/1010539517700473|pmid=28434251|s2cid=24488124 |url=https://eprints.qut.edu.au/106778/3/106778.pdf}}</ref>
 
=== Radio frequency (RF) ===
Ideal for large group environments, RF systems can accommodate hundreds of voters on a single base station. Using some systems, multiple base stations can be linked together in order to handle audiences that number in thousands. Other systems allow over a thousand on just one base. Because the data travels via radio frequency, the participant merely needs to be within range of the base station (300 – 500&nbsp;feet). Some advanced models can accommodate additional features, such as short word answers, user log-in capabilities, and even multi-site polling.
 
=== Internet ===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:IPowow Ice Hockey Vote.png|thumb|right|iPowow Participation TV Voting for Servus TV Ice Hockey "Man Of The Day"]] -->
Web-based Audience Response systems work with the participants' existing computing devices. These include [[notebook computer]]s, [[smartphone]]s and [[personal digital assistant|PDAs]], which are typically connected to the internet via [[Wi-Fi]], as well as classroom desktop computers. If the facilitator's computer is also Wi-Fi-enabled, they can even create their own IP network, allowing a closed system that doesn't depend on a separate base station. The web server resides on or is accessible to the facilitator's computer, letting them control a set of web pages presenting questions. Participants log into the server using web browsers and see the questions with forms to input their responses. The summarized responses are available on a different set of pages, which can be displayed through the projector and also on each participant's device.
 
Internet has also made it possible to gather audience responses in massive scale. Various implementations of the concept exist. For example, Microsoft featured [[Bing Pulse]]<ref>[http://www.bing.com/politics/stateoftheunion State of the Union – Bing Politics] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429063505/http://www.bing.com/politics/stateoftheunion |date=April 29, 2013 }}, Retrieved on 27 April 2013</ref> during the 2013 State of The Union (US) address by President Barack Obama. The system allowed registered users to input their responses (positive, negative, neutral) to the address and visualized the results as a trending graph in real time. Bing Pulse has since been used to cast over 35 million votes during national news broadcasts and other live meetings.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://pulse.bing.com | title=Microsoft - Official Home Page}}</ref> Over 10,000 viewers powered the iPowow Viewer Vote <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2013/8/12/technology/crowdsourcing-worm-aussie-start-tracking-election-debate|title=Crowdsourcing the worm: the Aussie start-up tracking the election debate|date=12 August 2013|website=businessspectator.com.au}}</ref> which tracked live viewer emotional response for Channel 7 during the [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 Australian Federal Election]] debates and displayed as a live "worm" graph on the broadcast screen. For advertising and media research, online "dial testing" using an onscreen scale slider that is controlled by a mouse (or finger swipe on a touchscreen) is being used in conjunction with surveys and online communities to gather continuous feedback on video or audio files.
 
=== Cell phones ===
The familiarity and widespread use of cell phones and text messaging has now given rise to systems that collect [[SMS]] responses and display them through a web page.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Tremblay | first = Eric|title = (2010) Educating the Mobile Generation – using personal cell phones as audience response systems in post-secondary science teaching| journal = Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching| volume = 29| issue = 2| pages = 217–227| url=http://editlib.org/p/32314 |access-date = 2010-11-05| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101031222518/http://www.editlib.org/p/32314| archive-date= 31 October 2010 | url-status= live| date = April 2010}}</ref> These solutions don't require specialized voting hardware, but they do require telecom hardware (such as a mobile phone) and software along with a web server and tend to be operated by dedicated vendors selling usage. They are typically favored by traveling speaking professionals and large conference halls that don't want to distribute, rent, or purchase proprietary ARS hardware. Computing devices with web browsers can also use these serviceLLs through [[SMS gateway]]s, if a separate web interface isn't provided.
 
Cell phone enabled response systems, such as SMS Response System, are able to take text inputs from the audience and receive multiple responses to questions per SMS. This allows a new pedagogical approach to teaching and learning, such as the work by Derek Bruff and an initiative on SMSRS.
 
The advantage of using such SMS type of response system is not limited to the logistical advantage of the presenter keeping no device inventory, it comes with an associated range of pedagogical advantages, such as agile learning and peer instruction (as possible with all types of response systems). SMS affords additional educational features like MCQ-Reasoning– a feature developed in a SMSRS system in Singapore that allows respondents to tag a reason to their choice of options in an MCQ. This eliminates the potential of "guessing-the-correct-answer" syndrome and text mining of SMS responses (to provide the gist of the messages collectively in a visual map).
 
Interactive SMS Forum is another feature that is proprietary to SMS-type response systems where audiences not only post their questions, but can also answer the questions posted by others via SMS.
 
=== Smartphone / HTTP voting ===
With increasing penetration of smartphones with permanent internet connections, live Audience Response/voting can be achieved over the [[HTTP protocol]]. SMS is still a solid solution because of its penetration and stability, but will not easily allow multi-voting support and might cause problem with multi-country audiences. The issue with SMS not supporting multi-country audiences is projected to be solved with [[SMS hubbing]].
 
In classrooms and conferences with [[Wi-Fi]] support or anywhere with [[GPRS]] coverage, software systems can be used for live audience feedback, mood measurement, or live polling. These systems frequently support voting with both [[mobile apps]] as well as mobile browsers. These apps invoke available local area networks (LAN) and provide a charge-free and cuts the needs to devoted hardware.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Audience response system|url = http://youconnect.ir/ars|website = youconnect.ir|access-date = 2015-10-30}}</ref>
 
With mobile apps and browser enabled voting, there are not any setup costs for hardware since the audience uses their own phones as voting devices and the result is often presented in any browser controlled by the lecturer.
 
With a standard mobile browser solution, these are click and go solutions without additional installations. Therefore, live audiences can be reached, and smartphone voting can be used–as with SMS–in any number of different locations. With the [[GPRS]] solution the audience does not necessary need to be in the same area as the lecturer as with radio frequency, infrared or [[Bluetooth]]-based response systems.
 
=== Software ===
 
Audience responseResponse software enables the presenter to collect participant data, display graphical polling results, and export the data to be used in reporting and analysis. Usually, the presenter can create and deliver her entire presentation with the ARS software, either as a stand-alone presentation platform or as a plug-in to [[Microsoft PowerPoint|PowerPoint]] or [[Keynote (presentation creation software)|Keynote]]®.
 
== See also ==
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Crowd manipulation]]
* [[Declamation]]
* [[Debate]]
* [[Eloquence]]
* [[Eulogy]]
* [[Glossophobia]]
* [[List of speeches]]
* [[Public orator]]
* [[Persuasion]]
* [[Rhetoric]]
* [[Speechwriter]]
* [[Speakers' bureau]]
* [[Thematic interpretation]]
* [[Toastmasters International]]
* [[:Category:Speeches by type]]
{{div col end}}
 
== References ==
{{reflist}}
 
== Bibliography ==
* {{Citation |last=Devaney |first=Laura |date=April 29, 2011 |title='Bring your own device' catching on in schools (Ed-tech access is an issue, but students' personal devices are an attractive option to a growing number of districts) |journal=ESchool News (Technology News for Today's K-20 Educator) |url=http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/04/29/bring-your-own-device-catching-on-in-schools/ |postscript=.}}
* {{Citation |last1=Simmons |first1=William W. | author-link1 = William W. Simmons (executive) |last2=Elsberry |first2=Richard B. |year=1988 |title=Inside IBM: the Watson years (a personal memoir) |publisher=Dorrance |___location=Pennsylvania, USA |isbn=978-0805931167 |url=https://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0805931163 |doi= |postscript=.}} ''The memoir of a senior IBM executive, giving his recollections of his and IBM's experience from World War II into the 1970s.''
 
{{Commons category|Audience response}}
 
[[Category:Audience measurement]]
[[Category:Polling terms]]
[[Category:Learning methods]]
[[Category:Promotion and marketing communications]]
 
[[de:Audience Response System]]
== External links ==
*[http://www.einstruction.com/ eInstruction - the market leader in PRS sales]
*[http://www.audienceresponseinfo.com/ Audience Response Info]
*[http://www.audience-response-rentals.com/ Audience Response System Rentals]
*[http://www.comtec-ars.com/ Audience Response System Sales]