Interesting project:
IPAL is a free Moodle module (plug-in) that enables in-class polling.
The goal of the IPAL project is to increase student learning, critical thinking, and retention by increasing the use of in-class polling. Research has shown that greater student involvement and interaction supported by in-class polling increases student learning, especially in areas that involve critical thinking skills. In-class polling also enables the instructor to know how much students understand and if more or less time should be spent discussing a topic, thus using class time to better meet the needs of the students. When students' learning needs are addressed in real time AND the students are engaged in learning through interactive methodologies, in-course performance will improve."
The following features of IPAL will increase in-class polling:
- Free and open-source.
- Available as a module in Moodle.
- Easy to use
- Avoids buying clickers for students with smart phones, laptops, and other web-enabled devices.
- Provides ready-to-use questions.
- Polling response analysis may increase retention.
