SWATT: Student Web Answer Template Technology

SWATT is a web-based student response system that contains a customizable student interface. During a lecture, a question can be posed to the students for a response. The students view the question on the classroom screen and answer using the student interface on their handheld computer. The student view is synchronized with the classroom view through a web-based database. The handheld's IP address is used to prevent multiple responses to the same question; every student has the opportunity to vote once. The instructor controls when the response graph is displayed. As soon as the graph appears, the instructor can accurately gauge the level of comprehension of the entire class. In problems with many steps, the instructor can ask for student responses at the end of each step. Students respond with the pad shown below, the responses are displayed as depicted below.

By using the student response system, the student role shifts from passive to active. SWATT is designed to give instantaneous bulk data about the class's comprehension of a topic. Research has clearly demonstrated that a very small number of students in a class respond when asked to raise their hands to answer questions. When using SWATT, typically 100 % of the class responds.

Standard Response

Other response pads are currently in development. They include a numeric response, graphic response, and confidence response.

Numeric Response

Graphic Response

Confidence Response