Audience Response Systems
Audience response systems are computer facilities that allow an
audience to interact with a presenter remotely. An audience
response system consists of an input device, a receiver and the
appropriate controller software.
The input device allows participants to interact with the host, by
for example, voting on a particular issue. Audience
voting systems allow participants to vote while in an audience
using an input device, or remotely by using a laptop and internet
connection.
Interactive
voting systems are not the only use to which an audience
response system can be put. For example, educational events
such as lectures can also benefit from an audience response
system. Such a system can allow students to upload their
answers, which the lecturer can then view on a laptop screen.
There are a number of reasons why these response systems are
becoming such a popular and essential technology. One
important reason is that these systems allow participants to submit
their input anonymously, which is useful in situations such as
silent auctions and voting on sensitive issues. In addition,
due to the sophisticated nature of this technology it is much
easier to tally up and process the responses using a software
package, usually in real-time.
Audience response systems are entering a new age with the
connectivity most people enjoy via the internet. Whether
responding to a webcast or just voting online more and more people
are making use of audience response systems in their daily lives;
this technology is no longer limited to the lecture room or
conference hall.