The use of electronic voting systems in large group lectures: challenges and opportunities

We describe pedagogical technical and operational issues associated with the introduction of an electronic voting system into large first-year undergraduate lectures. The rationale for doing so is to transform the lecture experience from a one-way transmission of information in to a two-way conversation between lecturer and students mediated by the technology. We discuss some of the logistics involved such as choice of handset cost and siting within a lecture theatre as well as the aspects of pedagogy such as the requirements of a good question for these interactive episodes. We present a number of possible use scenarios and evaluate student and staff experiences of the process.