Qwizdom

What do you like best?

Qwidom allows for real time evaluation of student learning within a lecture environment. The software allows me to immediately see any gaps in knowledge during a lecture, rather than waiting for written formative or summative assessments. This allows me to spend more/less time on given topics and be more efficient for both myself and my students.

What do you dislike?

The learning curve isn't substantial, but you will spend a fair amount of time initially getting set up. The software itself has a tendency to bog down and be very slow. This can be frustrating when you are waiting for things to load/process. The use of an external software plugin may also cause you to have to deal with your local IT department before utilizing the software on your personal office computer.

Recommendations to others considering the product:

It is a valuable tool, but licensing costs should be considered if you are on a tight budget.

What problems are you solving with the product? What benefits have you realized?

The software allows me to alter my lectures in real time to address student gaps in understanding. I am no long reliant on the brave student willing to raise their hand and ask a question. The Qwizdom polls are anonymous and show what the students do or do not understand. I can quickly address these misconceptions within the framework of the discussion and reinforce content. On the other side, it also allows me to spend less time on information that students grasp well.