Using throwable wireless microphone technology to enhance classroom interaction in a large class

Throwable wireless microphone is an emerging technology to adopt in a teaching environment. It aims to promote classroom interaction. In this study, we examined students' learning experience and their perceptions regarding participation and interaction when adopted the technology in a large class setting at higher education level. Quasi experimental approach was employed to determine the impact of the technology on students. A total of 187 graduate students from a research oriented university in Hong Kong participated in the experiment. They were divided into control and subject groups. Instructor facilitated discussion questions and invited approximately half of the class to response via random selection in control group and throwing the microphone to random student in subject group. Quantitative feedbacks were gathered through two questionnaires to study their perceptions on learning experience and classroom interaction. Statistical analysis was conducted on the data and it revealed that the subject group, who was exposed to the technology, reported better learning experience mean score as compared to the control group. It was also discovered that active students in the subject group, who had actually caught the throwable microphone and talked in class, perceived significantly better classroom interaction compared to those merely sat and observed in the same classroom. The findings of this study suggested that the use of throwable wireless microphone technology indeed enhanced learning experience and classroom interaction in a large class environment. However, these positive impacts were not evenly effecting all participants. Participants who had caught-and-talked in class benefited the most from the adoption of the technology. In order to maximize the effect of the throwable microphone technology, instructors should increase the number of caught-and-talked participants in a large class setting.