A music teacher named John Fallon wanted to get anonymous feedback from students during his lessons to encourage participation. He discovered TurningPoint clicker response software that allows students to respond to poll questions using clickers anonymously. After implementing TurningPoint in his classes, John found that students responded more truthfully and he could better assess their understanding to adjust his lessons. Students became more engaged with the interactive elements and John was able to improve various aspects of classroom performance.

1. keeping answers confidential
Elicit Truthful Responses by
Making them Anonymous
OCTOBER 2014
CHALLENGE
John Fallon has been a teacher for the past 27
years. He wanted to be able to receive answers to
questions he posed during music classes, but he
also needed a non-threatening environment that
would encourage student response. John thought,
“Students would be more at ease responding with
some anonymity.” He realized that in this age
of interactivity, incorporating a clicker response
solution would help keep students focused on his
presentation and the delivery of class material.
SOLUTION
While attending a conference and expo, John
discovered the hardware and software options
from Turning Technologies. He received
information about Turning’s clicker response
solution and TurningPoint to review after the expo.
“From that point, I knew that I could incorporate
TurningPoint into instructional design since it’s an
add-on for PowerPoint®,” John stated.
The first semester John implemented his 32 seat
student response solution using IR ResponseCards
in his classroom he realized the power of
TurningPoint. In his music theory classes, he was
able to receive quick assessments of the students’
understanding his presented material. During a
lecture if the results showed low scores on initial
assessment, John was able to re-teach the content
or overcome the learning difficulty.
Using this instructional approach his students were
soon on the right track to success. In addition,
John’s expectation that TurningPoint would elicit
more truthful responses from students was correct.
The Turning Technologies’ student response
solution allowed students to respond without any
perceived peer pressure.
CONCLUSION
Using the TurningPoint remote clicker response
solution in the choral classes at Walhalla High
School has improved classroom performance
in a number of areas. John has turned his
music classes into true interactive learning
environments. John’s students loved working
with the TurningPoint student response solution
and are more intrigued by the lectures. The
quick assessment of student comprehension has
helped John better instruct his classes when he
knows what information the students do and
don’t understand. Also, the amount of time
required for John to teach and assess his classes
were significantly less when he used the remote
clicker response solution versus traditional lecture
methods. “To me, it’s exciting to do something
different. After 27 years in the classroom and
teaching the same basic information, it’s great to
employ a different method for delivery. By using
technology, it only sweetens the end result.”
John Fallon is the Choral Director at Walhalla High School, a part of
the School District of Oconee County in Walhalla, South Carolina.