The SMS authoring tool is a web-based application which allows authors to set up an automated response system for a multiple-choice quiz. Authors can present their questions in a variety of ways, such as a paper handout, a poster, a PowerPoint presentation or web site. Participants answer the multiple-choice questions by SMS text message and receive almost instant feedback and up to seven daily follow-up messages if required.
SMS is a simple technology, with a wide reach. Until now, most of the applications available to educators have not harnessed this power for learning. They have focused on communication, or on integration with large institutional computer systems. Our quiz engine puts the power back in the hands of educators and small not-for-profit organisations.
There is a huge demand for mobile learning tools, and this is one that is proven to work: we have used it from Africa to Europe, it has been evaluated by several academic institutions, and we know that the formula of combining non-SMS questions with SMS replies is an effective way to add interactivity and buy-in.
SMS quizzes presented on eye-catching flyers are easy to share and discuss, so can be distributed in pubs, clubs and festivals. They are also easy to keep private so this is an excellent way of allowing people to engage with sensitive subjects or content that they may have been embarrassed to talk about openly or admit to needing support with.
Both these approaches work well with young people who are turned off by traditional sources of education, information and guidance.
Adult learners working towards the multiple-choice National Test in Adult Literacy or Numeracy are given a handout with a ‘mini-test’ on it – five questions in the style of the National Test focusing on a particular curriculum element that they have revised in the last class.
They are asked to try the quiz and text their answers by a given deadline. In addition to receiving a feedback message confirming how many questions they answered correctly, learners receive a daily SMS message for three more days, informing them of the topic for the next class and pointing them towards useful web sites to look at in preparation.
The automated feedback system frees the teacher from collecting and marking answers, while the deadline allows him or her time to log in to the reporting tool and check who has answered and how well they have done before the next class.
For more example of how we have used the SMS quizzes, please download the PowerPoint Presentation: SMS_quiz.ppt.
Online authoring helps non-technical users run their own campaigns, using language and content tailored to their audience. The interface is simple and user-friendly.
