What is audience response? It is a combination of hardware and software that adds interactivity to meetings, classrooms or other group settings. The hardware and software package constitutes the “audience response system,” often shortened to just “ARS.”
In most audience response system setups, a facilitator – or a nearby ARS technician – advances through a presentation that has been projected onto a large screen. Participants, which could range in number from 2 to 20,000, interact with the presentation via wireless hand-held keypads. The facilitator poses a question and offers several possible responses. Once all participants have selected a response (or time runs out), the aggregate data is graphically displayed within the presentation for all to see.
Audience Response improves learning, builds consensus and facilitates the decision-making process.
Audience response allows for either anonymous or trackable interaction. In polling environments – such as delegate voting or executive decision making – respondents can remain anonymous. In classroom situations, on the other hand, professors may want to use the audience response system to capture student responses as part of quizzes or to take attendance electronically.
Because of its unique versatility, and its contribution to ROI, audience response is utilized across a broad spectrum of industries. AV production companies use ARS for large-scale meetings and conferences; corporate trainers use portable audience response systems for on-the-road employee training; universities and other educational institutions employ audience response technologies in both small classrooms and large lecture halls.
Audience Response Systems combine advanced keypad technology with cutting-edge software to create interactive environments
Audience Response hardware and software offer a variety of options to cater to your specific interactive needs. A typical audience response system is comprised of the following components:
- base station (receiver)
- wireless keypads (one for every participant)
- audience response system software
In addition to the above items, a computer will be needed to run the software and hook up to the base station. The computer should also be connected to the projector that is being used for the presentation. Different audience response systems will have different computer requirements, so check with your ARS vendor to determine if your computer meets the minimum requirements.
The system runs like this:
- ARS software is loaded onto the presentation machine (i.e. the computer used to facilitate the presentation)
- The base station is hooked up to the presentation machine
- The facilitator presents a question to the audience, as well as a list of possible choices
- Participants use their wireless keypad to select the choice they think is correct
- The base station receives the participant answers and stores them in a database which resides on the presentation machine as part of the audience response software
- The software instantly displays a graph representing the results (e.g. 32% said “yes,” 68% said “no”)
- The data can later be retrieved in a variety of reporting formats
Wireless keypads and other audience response technologies help foster interactive learning environments
While wired audience response systems can be found, the majority of professional audience response companies only use wireless models. There are two prevailing technologies use to transmit the answers from the keypads to the base stations: radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR). Some companies also offer browser-based software that routes the data through an IP address and can be used with wireless notebook computers or other wireless hand-held devices, such as Palms, Pocket PCs or browser-enabled mobile phones.
Radio Frequency (RF): RF audience response systems are ideal for large group environments. They typically have a larger base station and keypad than their infrared counterparts. Although bulky, the RF system has a larger participant capacity and longer range. Because the data travels via radio frequency, no line-of-sight between keypad and base station is required. The participant merely needs to be within range of the base station (often up to 300 – 500 feet). Some models offer advanced features, such as flagging the presenter, multi-digit answers, user log-in capabilities, multiple correct answer selection and even multi-site capabilities allowing groups from all over the world to participate in the same presentation simultaneously.
Infrared (IR): IR audience response systems are perfect for small or medium-sized group environments. Executive decision making, corporate training and small college classrooms all use the IR platform successfully. IR technology requires line-of-sight between the keypad and base station, and is thus not well-equipped for extremely large rooms or outdoor events (where direct sunlight can affect the IR data transmission). While not as robust as RF hardware, the IR audience response systems are light-weight, portable and very affordable – even for smaller budgets.
Browser-Based: An emerging technology, browser-based audience response systems are still in the early stages of development. It is usually sold as a software-only system, compatible with the client’s existing wireless devices. Only one copy of the software is required, which resides on the facilitator’s computer. When the facilitator creates a polling session, an IP address is assigned to that session. Participants log-in to that IP address through their own notebook computer or Pocket PC. The data is transmitted via wi-fi Internet from the participants’ wireless devices to the facilitator’s machine, where the data is stored. The data is then displayed to the audience through the projector and also on each participant’s hand-held device. Because the transfer of data goes through an IP address, proximity to a base station or line-of-sight is not an issue. As long as the individual has Internet access, she can participate.
ARS software engages participants in your presentation, instantly displays graphical polling results and offers pre-formatted reporting features
Without software, your wireless keypads are useless. Audience response system software applications enable you to collect and display the polling data.
Most audience response providers own stand-alone software that runs independently of your presentation software. This means you have to switch back and forth between your presentation and the polling software, or use the polling software to create your entire presentation.
In the corporate world and higher education, PowerPoint® is by far the most used presentation software. A few companies have therefore developed plug-ins that allow the facilitator to seamlessly integrate polling into pre-existing PowerPoint presentations.
In addition to collecting and graphically displaying data in real-time, most audience response system software suites also provide reporting functions that will help you analyze data after the presentation. These pre-formatted reports typically export into Excel or other common formats so you can give the data a more in-depth analysis. Reporting functions also make participant tracking and grading possible for those in a training and education environments.
Whatever your interactive meeting needs are, we can help you find a scalable solution. Request a quote today.