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Purchasing
Voting Devices are hand-held units, similar in size to Remote Controls. They can be valuable aids to Formative Assessment. Most systems are stand-alone (i.e. they can be used by the Teacher to capture responses, the results can – at the teacher’s discretion - be broadcast via a Data Projector). Some systems will integrate with Interactive Whiteboard software (in that a shortcut icon will appear in the Whiteboard software)
There is a very good introduction to Voting Devices (the article happens to refer to the Hitachi VerdICT system) at
http://starboard.hitachi-software.co.uk/download/starboard/VerdICT%20whitepaper.pdf
Eight Products that I have come across: Activote, Qwizdom, Optivote, GeneeUS, Senteo, Verdict, Turning Point and Interwrite (presented in random order!)
As with all commercial products, Drumcondra Education Centre does not endorse any one product, but provides this information only as a service to teachers. Drumcondra Education Centre is not responsible for any errors or omissions. Third-party companies should contact (by email to whiteboards@cesi.ie) with any updates etc.
First Type Activote:
Read about it at
http://www.prometheanworld.com/uk/server/show/nav.1689
ACTIVstudioMV or ACTIVprimaryMV free-standing Voting System with 32 voting devices
£1,995.00 / Item(s) Price excluding VAT
Student response system containing 32 voting handsets and 3,500 curriculum questions. Can be used with any interactive whiteboard.
More info at http://www.btowstore.com/epages/Store2.sf/?ViewAction=View&ObjectID=405503&Page=2
http://www.prometheanireland.com/vote.php
Irish information courtesy of Prim-Ed can be found at http://www.prometheanireland.com/vote.php
The cost per set, which consists of 32 individual voting pods is €3,449 (incl VAT)
Note: Activote is intergrated within ActivPrimary and ActivStudio software, but it can be used with any interactive whiteboard.
Second Type: Qwizdom
Read about it at http://www.qwizdom.co.uk/
It can be bought via Tesco Tokens!
Qwizdom voting system
(eight users and one teacher)
Get immediate and individual feedback on the depth of your
learners’ understanding with the Qwizdom voting system.
• Involves the whole class.
• Dedicated teacher handset.
• With real-time assessment, dynamic presentation options,
fun learning games and easy authoring tools.
• Supports numeric, sequencing and multiple-choice questions.
• Compatible with Easiteach v3.3.
• Three year return-to-manufacturer warranty.
IBN-154 Qwizdom voting system 25,450 VOUCHERS
Product Update: Please note that as of March 2007 the Qwizdom Q3 Infra-red (IR) kits have been discontinued. You can however, still purchase additional IR handsets for any existing IR kits and the warranty and support will apply as normal.
St£ Pricing from RM: http://www.rm.com/Secondary/Products/product.asp?cref=pd435762
Qwizdom Voting System - 28 + 1 Q4 (RF) pad set General Information
For st£1800+VAT+Delivery (=Euro 2900???)
Third Type: Optivote
Read about it at http://www.optivote.com
UK Re-seller: eInstruction UK Ltd
Farnley Hall Estate
The Square
Farnley
Otley
North Yorkshire
LS21 2QF
Tel. (044) 1943 850119
Fax. (044) 1943 850714
Email: enquiries@optivote.com">enquiries@optivote.com
Web: http://www.einstruction.uk.com
The cost for a 32 handset IR system is £1000 (approx €1500) and the RF system £1600 (approx €3000).
Non-board specific, stand-alone product: Optivote is a stand alone voting system which will work alongside any interactive whiteboard or with a projector. The system allows questions to be created in a simple template format, delivered in PowerPoint or online.
Fourth Type: GeneeUs from Interactive Education
Read about it at http://www.interactive-education.co.uk/geneeus.htm
St£ 1550 for a 32-pack RF system (Euro 2900????)
Non-board specific, stand-alone product
Fifth type: Senteo from SMART (available 1st June 2007)
Read about it at http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/Senteo/
Integrated with SMART Notebook software
RF type
The Senteo interactive response system is fully compatible with Microsoft applications. Import questions from Microsoft Word, export answers to Excel spreadsheet software. Senteo also integrates with PowerPoint presentation software.
Senteo is €3200 for 24 handsets; €3950 for 32 handsets.
Contact Fusion Tech (in Dunboyne, Co. Meath) at http://www.fusiontech.ie
Sixth Type: VerdICT
Sold under the Hitachi brand
Read about it at http://uk.hitachisoft-interactive.com/Templates/Type2_English.asp?modeID=Content&uID=45&DoLogin=
Note the very good introduction to Voting Devices at http://starboard.hitachi-software.co.uk/download/starboard/VerdICT%20whitepaper.pdf
Irish Price guides:
15 x Handset - €1900.00
30 x Handset - €2700.00 (each inc VAT)
NB this system used IR (not RF)
Seventh Type: Turning Point
TurningPoint, voting technology distributedby Steljes in Ireland is at http://www.turningtechnologies.co.uk ( It won a BETT Award in 2007.). This system integrates within MS PowerPoint
Eighth Type: Interwrite PRS or Interwrite Cricket from IMEX - these are referred to on a 60-page PDF file from http://www.imex.co.uk/iwb/IMEX_IWB_web_edition.pdf
Questions to ask when purchasing:
Does the unit use RF (preferably) rather than IR?
Teacher Unit and Student units?
Connects to Teacher's computer via USB?
PC, MAC, Linux versions?
Tied into Whiteboard software (or Whiteboard type)?
Works as a Stand-alone application (outside of any other software)?
Shortcut within Whiteboard Software?
Price for a Class Set ("32 Pack"), inc VAT and Delivery?
Units need AA batteries?
Can Hide individual student response?
Output to Excel?
Works with MS Office?
Integrated with PowerPoint?
Import to/from MS Office?
Can show Results of Class Response?
Can show 'awaiting response from Student Name'?