A Novel, Image-Based, Voting Tool Based on Handheld Devices

To enhance audience participation during lectures, Audience Response Systems (ARS) can be used. However, in radiology teaching, the use of these systems is limited because of the limitation to multiple choice questions, while radiology education is image-based. In this research project, an ARS based on a standard Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) (HP iPAQ 114 classic handheld) running Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Classic with a large 3.5 inch TFT (Thin Film Transistor) touch screen (320 x 240 pixel resolution), high luminance, and integrated IEEE 802.11b/g wireless was developed that allows audience interaction with images. The application was tested in two classroom sessions with 37 and 20 participants in a lecture setting. The classroom tests showed that the system was stable and did not cause any significant problems. Voting was easy and after a short introduction every participant was able to vote using the PDA. Questionnaires given to the students after the classroom sessions provided very positive responses on both usability and usefulness of this novel method.