Student Perceptions of Classic and Game-Based Online Student Response Systems.

BACKGROUND: Online student response systems (OSRSs), driven by the Internet and cell phone technology, provide a free, easily accessible method to increase student engagement, facilitate active learning, and provide learners and teachers with instant feedback about learning progress.

PURPOSE: This article describes undergraduate nursing students' use of 2 OSRSs and their perceptions of the impact of the tools on class participation and engagement.

METHODS: Students used their own mobile phones or computers to access 2 types of OSRSs: a classic and a game-based OSRS.

RESULTS: Students indicated that both systems increased participation and engagement. The game-based OSRS was favored over the classic OSRS. The potential for use of the game-based OSRS for assessing rapid-answer fact-based knowledge and the classic OSRS for assessing more complex learning tasks is discussed.

CONCLUSION: Nurse educators are encouraged to consider integrating online response system technology into their classroom teaching.