FW: Livewire

[Graham Batchelor]

Hope you don't mind me posting this John just to keep the discussion
running. Do you have any information re cost. Does not seem to be any on the
site.
 
Batch
 
From: mrwatson.stbedes at gmail.com [mailto:mrwatson.stbedes at gmail.com] On
Behalf Of John Watson
Sent: Wednesday, 31 March 2010 6:56 p.m.
To: gbatch at clear.net.nz
Subject: Livewire
 
Hi Batch

I used Livewire for L2 physics last year. If students start getting
questions right it throws M and E level ones at them; if they get some wrong
it throws A level questions at them. The instant feedback is good too.

The students were reasonably motivated to use it. However I found it a bit
tedious to obtain the data I wanted (like checking who had completed the set
tasks). I think they are continuing to improve it so it may be better this
year. Also when students log in they don't see what you have assigned - you
have to tell them in class or email, etc.

I am looking into another system, a US-based one called Mastering Physics
<http://www.masteringphysics.com/> . John Grogan from Gore High recommended
it to me. The data you can get seems much better, but it obviously isn't set
up for our AS so you would have to create the assignments from the resource
bank. Students can ask for hints to help them along the way and it also
gives instant feedbcak. It gives more control over what is set, whereas
Livewire is ready to go with little input. I am going to try Mastering
Physics this year with some scholarship students and see how it goes. It is
sold through Pearson (talk to Lyn Dunscombe) but they aren't really that
onto it and I am still awaiting a reply on how to get student access.

Keep in touch

regards

John Watson
Head of Science Faculty
St Bede's College


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