FSMS testing new teaching tool

Keeping all students in a class of moderate-to-large size constantly alert and involved can often be a difficult task for educators. Some students may choose not to participate in class discussions while others may be too shy to take part.

However, a new electronic classroom tool being tested out by Fort Scott Middle School math students may change all that.

The InterWrite Personal Response System (PRS), an electronic student response program that serves many classroom functions, is being piloted in the FSMS's third-hour math class, FSMS math teacher Susan Foster said.

With the PRS, each student can respond to teachers' questions electronically and will be instantly notified if their answer is correct or not. The students' answers are monitored by the teacher's system, so the teacher knows which students are participating and also which ones are answering correctly. Because each student' device has a unique number, teachers are also able to monitor attendance.

Foster said the devices, known as "clickers", are popular with students because using them eliminates having to raise their hand and answer questions aloud. The electronic factor, which some students may compare with video game systems, also make the PRS devices enjoyable for students.

"It's easy to see that the students like them," Foster said.

Various features and opportunities are available through the PRS. Teachers can deliver quizzes and assessments electronically which allows teachers to spend more time on teaching and less time on grading paperwork. The PRS also gives students continuous feedback to provide an active learning process. Students can scroll through questions and give responses at their own pace.

For teachers, PRS allows for flexibility in how they generate and present questions to students. The program also allows for different types of questions to be asked, such as multiple choice, true or false, numeric or self-paced. Teaches can also grade lessons quickly and generate reports to analyze the student data.

Foster said she likes the program because of the improved interaction between teachers and students.

"It's a valuable tool because it helps increase our communication," Foster said.

FSMS students began using the PRS program earlier this school year. Foster said students and teacher are still trying to completely grasp all of its capabilities.

"It's a work in progress," she said.