SMART Response brings usability improvements and upgraded look to education customers
CALGARY, Alberta --- May 4, 2009 --- SMART Technologies announces a new version of the Senteo™ interactive response system, now called SMART Response. The SMART Response system comprises assessment software, handheld clickers (remotes) and a receiver that enables instant responses on quizzes in the classroom. As part of a company-wide branding initiative, SMART is rebranding Senteo to better identify it as an important element of the SMART education solution and an integral part of the company’s product line. The software component of SMART Response now features enhancements based on customer feedback and a redesigned look that reflects SMART’s other education software products such as SMART Notebook software and SMART Sync classroom management software.
SMART Response 2009 assessment software integrates seamlessly with SMART Notebook software and enables teachers to easily add questions to lesson activities. Teachers can compile questions and tests for formative and summative assessment and ask spontaneous questions to gauge students’ comprehension at any point during a lesson. Teachers also have access to several thousand questions that are correlated to state, provincial and learning authority standards on the SMART education solutions website. Existing Senteo system remotes are compatible with SMART Response software. The upgraded software is now available to current Senteo assessment software users by means of a simple download, at no charge. Usability improvements include a new design for the SMART Response tab in SMART Notebook software and better overall graphing features. The remotes that are included with the SMART Response system are receiving a minor cosmetic upgrade to reflect the new name. As many as 60 remotes can be supported up to a distance of 33 yards (30 meters) in a single classroom. The process for update notification and installation has also been streamlined. The software identifies updates needed and notifies the user, who simply clicks an Update button. Changes are then made to the software automatically. To download the SMART Response 2009 assessment software for Windows, visit Response for Windows. To download SMART Response assessment software for Mac, visit Response for Mac.
“Since using the Senteo interactive response system, students are more aware of what they are learning, more motivated to participate and more likely to correct their answers when wrong,” says A.J. Hatcher, mathematics teacher at Hurst Junior High School in Texas. “The Senteo system has worked so well for us that we're looking forward to using the SMART Response system with its upgraded software and new look.”
“The many benefits of using interactive response systems in classrooms to obtain instant student responses are becoming well understood,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “The SMART Response system continues SMART’s tradition of continuous improvement by refining a popular, reliable product and incorporating features that directly address teachers’ and students’ evolving needs.”
Features
New name – The Senteo interactive response system is now named SMART Response to better identify it as an important element of the SMART education solution
Graphing features – The pie chart and other assessment graphing features give educators a clear visual representation of assessment results
Radio frequency technology – The handheld remote interacts with the receiver up to 33 yards (30 meters) away, ensuring ample receiving distance to accommodate most classroom sizes
Supported question types – Educators can create a variety of question types including multiple choice, true or false, numeric response and more-than-one-right-answer, allowing for greater variety in quizzing
Quick view icons – Students can check SMART Response’s signal strength, battery life and available networks, ensuring optimal functionality at all times
Long battery life – Two AA batteries, which are long lasting and easy to replace, power each student device
Ergonomic design – Remotes are designed specifically for student use and may be handheld or rested on a desk and operated with one hand. The simple design creates barrier-free use for all students.
New look – The design of SMART Response reflects recently-released SMART software such as SMART Notebook and SMART Sync, making it clear to users that the product is integrated and part of the SMART education solution
SMART product integration – SMART Response software is integrated with SMART’s award-winning SMART Notebook software
Pricing and availability
SMART Response is available in packs of 24 and 32 remotes, with suggested education pricing of US$1,599 and US$1,999, respectively. For more information, specifications and a list of SMART authorized resellers, visit www.smarttech.com.
Image and Demonstration
To download an image of SMART Response, go to the Image Gallery.
To download a demonstration of SMART Response, go to Demo.
