Mar 25 2007
Turning Point class voting system
For our revision we have been using our class voting system. We currently have a set of Turning Point voting keypads which the children love using. If you are trying to motivate your kids to learn I would highly recommend exploring a set of these. The software utilises MS Powerpoint which is extremely simple to use, I have developed a range of times tables quizzes which we are using in Year 6 at the moment.
One of the key maths objectives is rapid recall of the times tables - when we do tests in a traditional way it is hard to attribute value to or judge on how quickly all 30 kids are recalling their tables. With my voting system I can do speed scoring - a way to attribute points to children for quickly answering questions correctly, the kids can see on the screen, what we call, the Fastest Finger First. At the end of the test we have a Top 20 leaderboard and the children are very motivated to get their name up there. I find this activity really helps with their fast mental arithmetic and the 5 second questions they get asked in their SATs maths mental test.
The UK version of the Turning Point website has loads of other resources to download covering the core subjects - I am currently appreciative of all of the science resources covering just about every topic in the primary science curriculum which we are using for revision. Well worth a look. It is also valuable to ask the children to make simple quizzes which I have successfully done too - then the class interact and vote on their peers’ questions, a great motivator.
I will be writing more about this great teaching and learning resource soon.
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Hello,
This is my first time responding to any blog EVER!
I am currently taking a course at Concordia University in Montreal that emphasizing the importance of integrating technology into the classroom.
Holmes, B. & Gardner, J. (2006). e-learning: Concepts and Practice. London: Sage Publications. http://www.sagepub.co.uk/booksProdDesc.nav?rodId=Book227967
http://www.brynholmes.com/
I think that it is fantastic that you are incorporating the use of ICT’s in your classroom for young students. I only wish some of my instructors would have had such great initiative. Any technological experience is beneficial to the students of today and I truly beleive that your students will have a step up on their fellow classmates with the tools you are giving them. I used to be intimidated by technology but now I see that I should embrace technology and use it. We do not have to become completly dependant on technology, we only have to be aware of all the ways it can facilitate our lives and be responsible in the manner in which we use the information we obtain.
Hi Cindy
thanks for your positive remarks and it is always good to get started into the world of blogging - well done! I hope you find my blog and many others really useful reading, I know I would have appreciated this medium when I was studying at uni. My brother in law lives in Montreal by the way!
I too use the Turningpoint response system in my fifth grade classroom. I have created many ppt slides for math and students really do seem engaged in the process. We have been practicing for the Ohio achievement test and students tell me that it’s a great way to keep them interested.
I work on TurningPoint for Steljes in the UK and I’d just like to say thank you for your kind words about the product and also the website. TurningPoint has come a long way since I first started with it two years ago and it’s really good to hear that the work we’ve put in to the product, the website and the resources has been appreciated!
Hi Mitt
We have been in touch before - regarding the authoring of some Turning Point resources. Thanks for your comments! I still use my class set and the kids have thoroughly enjoyed the work with them this year. We hope to be purchasing more voting systems for other classes soon.