Most pedagogical literature has generated "how to" approaches regarding the use of student response systems (SRS). There are currently no systematic reviews on the effectiveness of SRS, for its capacity to enhance critical thinking, and achieve sustained learning outcomes. This paper addresses this current gap in knowledge. Our teaching team introduced GoSoapBox (an interactive online SRS) in an undergraduate sociology and public health subject, as a mechanism for discussing controversial topics, such as sexuality, gender, economics, religion, and politics, to allow students to interact with each other and to generate discussions and debates during lectures. Bandura's Social Learning Theory (SLT) was applied to investigate the effectiveness of GoSoapBox for improving learning experiences. We produced a theoretical model via an iterative analytical process between SLT and our data. This model has implications for all academics considering the use of SRS to improve the learning experiences of their students.
IntroductionThere is currently a wide range of research into the recent introduction of student response systems (SRS) in tertiary settings (Banks 2006;Beatty & Gerace 2009; Kay & Le Sange, 2009;Lantz, 2010;Sprague & Dahl, 2009). However, most of this pedagogical literature has generated how to approaches regarding the use of clickers, and similar response technologies. There are currently no systematic reviews on the effectiveness of GoSoapBox -a newer web-based, popular SRS. With rapid developments in teaching and learning technologies across all undergraduate disciplines, there is a need to obtain comprehensive, evidence-based advice on these types of technologies, their uses, and overall efficacy. This paper addresses this current gap in knowledge.Our teaching team from the Queensland University of Technology, introduced GoSoapBox in an undergraduate 350 student cohort, public health subject. First, this paper will cover the recent literature reviewing student response systems in tertiary settings. Second, we describe the methods used to implement the use of GoSoapBox in our lectures and tutorials, and which aspects of the technology we drew on for learning purposes, as well as the methods for obtaining feedback from the students about the effectiveness of this tool. Third, we will outline the theoretical framework used to generate this pedagogical research. In keeping with the social and collaborative features of Web 2.0 technologies, Bandura's Social Learning Theory (SLT) will be applied here to investigate the effectiveness of GoSoapBox as an online tool for improving learning experiences and the quality of academic output by students. Bandura has emphasised the Internet as a tool for self-controlled learning (Bandura, 2001), as it provides the education sector with an opportunity to reconceptualise the relationship between learning and thinking (Glassman & Kang, 2011). Next, we report findings and analysis that are produced as a result of an examination of all student and staff activity on GoSoapBox as...