The Use of Poll Everywhere in Engineering Technology Classes to Stimulate Student Critical Thinking and Motivation

Critical thinking is considered one of the most important aspects of the learning process at the college level, especially in the field of engineering technology. However, developing critical thinking can prove to be quite challenging. It takes a lot of instructional effort and support for undergraduate students enrolled in engineering technology programs to develop the ability to analyze, adequately synthesize conceptual knowledge, and then apply that knowledge to practical problem-solving situations. This ability is a critical component of any successful completion of job responsibilities for future engineers. In this study we examine the effectiveness of the web-based polling system Polleverywhere in promoting all stages of learning, with the emphasis on acquisition and generalization of new knowledge. The study also evaluates the effectiveness of the above-mentioned web-based system in promoting students’ motivation. Besides traditional face-to-face interaction in class (students asking questions and verbally responding to the instructor’s questions) students were engaged in class participation through the use of Polleverywhere software. A polling system increases the likelihood that all students in the class answer the questions presented. Furthermore, after polling, students can compare and discuss their answers across the entire group. This is a peer-review process important in the success of their learning. A survey was administrated towards the end of the class and data from this survey was used in the analysis. The evaluation in this study is based on a Circuits course in electrical engineering technology, for a relatively small-lecture classroom.