Welcome to this month's Technology in P.E. Section. Professionally, this is a new challenge and exciting endeavor as I write my first editorial for pelinks4u. As an educator, I embrace the innovative teaching ideas and techniques that technology has provided for me. I teach at a small liberal arts college, Berea College, that is a laptop campus. Because every student has their own laptop, and the classrooms in the building I teach in are computer capable, my technology opportunities are many.

Last spring I had the opportunity to develop several lessons in an Introduction to Lifetime Wellness course using a Classroom Performance System (CPS) known as Beyond Question. My experiences and my student's experiences did uphold all the stated benefits made by the companies that have these systems on the market. My intent is to share the CPS that I am most familiar with, Beyond Question, and several others that are also available with similar capabilities.

In the first section, I will provide the importance of technology use. Just who are the students who are entering our classrooms and gymnasiums today? What skills are important for them to be successful in the 21st century? School systems are now in need of tools to help meet the demands of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001. Teachers must now monitor all student performance and adjust instruction to the needs of individual students. Can a CPS provide a tool for educators to meet the demands of NCLB?

The next section will briefly provide other CPS programs, and information about those programs, and choices that are available submitted by the Instructional Technology Consultant at Berea College, Don Hodges.

In the next section, the benefits and advantages of Beyond Question will be shared from personal experience. An explanation of the capabilities of this system will also be provided. The last section will provide an educator’s technology wish list for the holiday season – what is out there, and what would be great to have? Presented are our top five as chosen by Don Hodges, Instructional Technology Consultant at Berea College!

Martha Beagle
Technology Section Editor

Widely known and accepted is the fact that today's students are the most technology savvy generation the world has ever known. Computers have always been a part of their lives. Special effects in movies or computer games are something they take for granted. Text and instant messaging are ways of easily communicating with anyone in real time anywhere. They surf the Internet with ease, making global connections frequently. As multi-taskers, they can manage several tasks at once and move from task to task quickly, having no problems keeping track of all of these tasks. This mirrors the multimedia world in which they live - switched on as short and sweet sound bites.

Students today expect to experience their lessons in a classroom, and such experiences are perhaps their preferred mode of learning. Thus, our classrooms need to provide a set of skills that encompass new technology. Our classrooms and our schools must reflect this new reality.

As a result of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001, America's public schools are to be striving to close the achievement gap by using a system of accountability. Each state must now describe and maintain a set of standards comprised of what students should understand, and what students should be able to achieve in math, science, and reading. Some form of testing must be established evaluating student performances on said standards from which a detailed report must be issued annually. Overwhelming data management challenges are daunting and dreadful.

Such challenges are driving technology changes in schools, because tools are needed to collect and monitor student performance and achievement. Classroom Performance Systems (CPS) can provide schools and systems with the potential to design, manage and evaluate classroom learning. Such systems allow for instant feedback, enabling the teacher to assess single student and class improvement toward learning goals, modifying instruction to help every student learn.

Smartphones/Personal Digital Assistant
These devices have been around for years, but now that more and more places offer Wi-Fi connections, PDAs are seeing new life. They offer users quick and easy ways to stay connected, and to share information and ideas on the fly.

Home Wireless Routers
Many people find themselves "working" at home, or from home, in the educational realm. This is especially true as a result of the growth of LMS tools such as Blackboard, WebCT, and ANGEL. Also, the availability of broadband internet access (such as DSL) has increased. A wireless router offers fast and easy connection to the web from anywhere in your house. However, security is an issue so make sure you use some type of data encryption settings when setting up a home wireless network. Most retail electronic stores offer to do this for a nominal fee.

Video Creation and Editing Software
Classroom pedagogy is being transformed by the use of student created video projections. This can include an historical documentary, a community service project, and even music videos. As software becomes somewhat easier to use, more and more faculty and students are exploring the world of video creation/editing.

Software ranges from $50 per user to several thousands of dollars for high end professional software. However, software such as Pinnacle Studio 10 and 11 offers entry level video editing for a small price. All you need is a fireware card on your computer and a video source. In this case, consider a MiniDV camcorder

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Web Hosted Software Programs
More and more software packages are being offered to users via the web. This is due to the growth of visual creation tools such as Adobe Flash and other plug-ins. Software ranging from remedial math to word processing tools is being offered online and in many cases for a subscription price. Check out Google Documents for an idea of what this web company is offering users in terms of collaboration and productivity web based software.

LCD TV
The costs of LCD TV units are coming down, and they can be a great tool in classroom presentation equipment. They allow for a vivid presentation without the need for a multimedia projector and screen. The only down side is size; anything bigger than a 47 to 50 inch screen may require a plasma TV. However, when the TV is combined with a touch sensitive overlay, the combination is unbeatable for creating interactive classroom experiences.

The use of Classroom Performance Systems (CPS) is increasing in all levels of education. The individual systems are called many things such as clickers, survey remotes, polling devices, and other "brand names," however, the goal of each device is the same. The devices are used to collect instant student feedback within a classroom setting, and to engage students in the learning process.

The devices come with three major components: a wireless receiver, an individual student remote, and an instructor remote. Many devices also rely on special software to collect and interpret the student's input data. However, many newer systems are self-contained and collect the data on the instructor remote. In most of the software packages, the data can be exported into other formats such as Excel.

There are many vendors that offer CPS technology. They include TurningPoint, Beyond Question, TI-Navigation, ClassInHand, and i-Clickers to name a few. There are three major types of SRS devices. They are IF (infrared frequency), RF (radio frequency), and WiFi (wireless). According to the University of Minnesota, there are many advantages and disadvantages of each system.

System Comparison (Univ. of MN, 2006)

TYPE: IR
	Advantages: Low equipment cost, no interference issues as signals cannot go beyond the classroom.
	Disadvantages: Often offer only one-way communication, requires permanent installation of multiple antennas for large classes, signal reception can be unreliable and have a shorter range, responses limited to multiple choice or numeric entry. Clicker administration and management are expensive.
	Currently offered by InterWrite (PRS), eInstruction, Turning Technologies, Quizdom, and others.
TYPE: RF
	Advantages: Large classes can be supported without permanent receiver installation, signal reception is more reliable and has a longer range, two-way communication.
	Disadvantages: Higher clicker cost, higher likelihood of interference issues as RF can operate on the same frequencies as Wi-Fi, responses limited to multiple choice or numeric entry. Clicker administration and management are expensive.
	Currently offered by InterWrite (PRS), eInstruction, Turning Technologies, Quizdom, and others.
TYPE: WI-FI
	Advantages: Uses a web browser for student interaction, allows for text entry and open-ended responses, students can use a wide variety of Wi-Fi devices, uses the existing campus wireless infrastructure.
	Disadvantages: Requires students to have a Wi-Fi computing device, fewer choices currently available in the marketplace.
	Currently offered by ETS Discourse, Numina, TurningPoint, TI-Navigator, and ClassInHand.

The software provided by CPS vendors has several main features, but the delivery method varies according to the device. The software allows instructors to pose questions, ideas, thoughts, or images, and then provides an outlet for students to provide feedback. This data is collected, tabulated, and then returned to the instructor in some usable form. In most cases, the data can be exported into another software package such as Excel, or uploaded into the campus's Learning Management System such as WebCT or Blackboard.

Some CPS software works completely independent of a computer, and the collection and tabulation of the student's responses takes place on the instructor remote. These systems tend to be more costly. The majority of the software is loaded onto a computer and works with PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office programs.

The cost of CPS devices varies depending on vendor, number of remotes needed, and device type. However, most vendors offer a set of 25 to 30 student remotes, one instructor remote, and one receiver for around $1,000 per set. Also, some vendors allow students to purchase remotes from the book store or bundled with specific textbooks if a campus agrees for that model of funding. Individual remotes cost approximately $10 to $40, depending on the vendor of the device.

Reference: University of Minnesota. (2006, April 13). Classroom Support. Retrieved June 24, 2007, from Office of Classroom Management.

Beyond Question is an example of a CPS software program that provides a teacher with a set of tools that can improve a student's learning environment. I had the opportunity of using Beyond Question for several lessons about healthy relationships in an "Introduction to Lifetime Wellness" class. Such a system does guarantee 100% participation, and plenty of interaction among students and me as the instructor.

Easy Set-Up
The set up of this program is intuitive and easy to use. A receiver that accepts a signal from the remote controls is connected to a nine pin serial port on a computer. A Beyond Question CD is simply installed within a matter of seconds by following on screen prompts, and allows for immediate use of the program.

Engages Students Quickly and Effectively
The program is designed to adapt to the style of the individual using it. Rosters and questions can be prepared ahead of time, imported from existing sources, or simply begin asking questions immediately without any prior preparation. Questions can be added, removed, and reordered, formatting to one's personal preferences. Responses can be elicited from every student without embarrassing anyone with a wrong answer.

Simple questions from a previous lesson can aid as a review before a new lesson begins. Intermittent questions during a lesson can check for comprehension, and identify concepts that need more time and coverage, as well as keep students engaged in the new material. Student understanding can be easily monitored, allowing the teacher to adjust the content being presented according to responses.

Improves Student Test Scores
As the instructor, you will be able to adjust the time spent on various lesson topics, become aware of lesson topics students are having trouble understanding, and distinguish among individual students that may need more assistance. Individual student answers, grids of all answers given, and bar charts of total students and chosen answers provide visual and instant feedback to students and instructor.

The program provides a capability that helps students to focus on the lesson, and easily explains a higher rate of retention of information being presented in a lesson, and better retention of the material being taught, leading to resultant improvement in test scores. Students automatically become more involved in the lesson topic by topic, question by question.

Grading and Attendance Simplified
Beyond Question allows quizzes and tests to be administered, providing immediate grading of multiple choice, true/false, yes/no, and opinion/survey questions. Each quiz or exam is graded in a matter of seconds, keeping a log of every class session and making results available at the click of a mouse. Volumes of data and results can be customized and viewed through a variety of file types - Word, Excel, HTML, or PDF. By specifying correct answers, Beyond Question can calculate the percent answered correctly. Attendance is automatically kept anytime the system is used. When students pick up a remote they must log in, enabling an attendance check by virtue of this log in.

Tracking Student Progress
All results of Beyond Question use can be saved for later viewing as a file, or emailed to another location. Results can be printed or exported to a spreadsheet program, or copied and pasted directly into a spreadsheet program. Rosters and copies of questions used as well can be printed or copied.

Compatibility with Existing Materials
PowerPoint presentations and word processing documents are all compatible with Beyond Question. When using PowerPoint, the instructor's remote controls moving between slides, allowing students time to answer, and toggling between PowerPoint and bar graphs showing how students have answered as a group. Using word documents as text only files, files can be opened by Beyond Question.

References
Beyond Question. User's Guide, 2005
Smartroom Learning Solutions, Inc., Marietta, Georgia

Conclusion
Using any CPS program insures 100% student participation in any given lesson. Benefits of any CPS program are a reality of always being able to provide instant feedback; immediate validation of student understanding or recognizing student misunderstanding; access to data and student progress without extra paperwork; easy integration with other documents and PowerPoint; simple and easy to use technology; and an overall effective learning environment.

With the capabilities of CPS, teachers may find that they can spend less time on paperwork and more time on teaching in a creative way. Students can become more excited about learning and the interactivity of a lesson. Research has shown that a key quality common to respected and recognized instructors is their ability to engage students, keeping them attentive and responsive. One of the best approaches to achieve this is to provide appealing lessons, imaginative activities, and candid discussions that encourage all students to participate. A Classroom Performance System provides the classroom environment that supports this.

Learning Management Systems: The wrong place to start learning - Learning Management Systems (LMS) are often viewed as being the starting point (or critical component) of any elearning or blended learning program. This perspective is valid from a management and control standpoint, but antithetical to the way in which most people learn today. The issue is not that an LMS is not needed for learning. The real issue is that LMS vendors are attempting to position their tools as the center-point for elearning - removing control from the system's end-users: instructors and learners. Read more.