Abstract:
A method of presenting data gathered by a participant response system, comprising obtaining spatial information for participants; collecting response data from the participants and generating result data; overlaying the result data on a map image in accordance with the obtained spatial information to form a data map; and displaying the data map.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to participant response systems and in particular to a data presentation method and a participant response system employing the same. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Participant response systems for enabling participants of an event to enter responses to posed questions, motions or the like are well known in the art and have wide applicability. For example, during a conference, seminar or the like, participants can be provided with handsets that enable the participants to respond to questions, or to vote on motions raised during the conference or seminar. In the entertainment field, audience members can be provided with handsets that enable the audience members to vote for entertainment programmes or sports events. These participant response systems are also applicable in the field of education. Participants can be provided with handsets that enable the participants to respond to questions posed during lessons, tests or quizzes. Of significant advantage, these participant response systems provide immediate feedback to presenters, teachers, entertainment programme producers, or event organizers. With respect to the field of education, research shows that teachers teach and participants learn more effectively when there is rapid feedback concerning the state of participants&#39; comprehension or understanding. It is therefore not surprising that such participant response systems are gaining wide acceptance in the field of education. 
         [0003]    Participant response systems fall generally into two categories, namely wired and wireless participant response systems. In wired participant response systems, participants respond to posed questions or vote on motions using remote units that are physically connected to a local area network and communicate with a base or host general purpose computing device. In wireless participant response systems, the remote units communicate with the base or host general purpose computing device wirelessly. 
         [0004]    A number of different wired and wireless participant response systems have been considered. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,908 to Lockhart, Jr. et al. discloses a two-way communication system for use with a host general purpose computing device that includes a control unit, a base station and multiple, hand-held, portable radio/data terminal units. The control unit interfaces directly with the host general purpose computing device but uses a radio link to interface with the portable radio/data terminal units. Each portable radio/data terminal unit includes a two-way radio and a data terminal. The data terminal includes a keyboard for data entry and an LED display for readout of either received data or locally generated data. The host general purpose computing device initiates communication through polling and/or selection of portable radio/data terminal units via the control unit. The control unit, in response to a “poll” from the host general purpose computing device, responds by sending either a previously received message from a portable radio/data terminal unit, or if no message has been received, a “no message” response. Polling by the control unit is an invitation to the portable radio/data terminal units to send data to the control unit to be stored, grouped if necessary and sent on to the host general purpose computing device. The control unit polls the portable radio/data terminal units by address in a particular sequence. The control unit transmits acknowledgements to the portable radio/data terminal units for received data on the next polling cycle. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,491 to Abrahamson et al. discloses an interactive electronic classroom system for enabling teachers to teach participants concepts and to receive immediate feedback regarding how well the participants have learned the taught concepts. Structure is provided for enabling participants to proceed in lockstep or at their own pace through exercises and quizzes, responding electronically to questions asked, the teacher being able to receive the responses, and to interpret a readout, in histogram or other graphic display form, of participant responses. The electronic classroom comprises a central computer and a plurality of participant computers, which range from simple devices to full fledged personal computers, connected to the central computer over a network. Optional peripheral hardware, such as video cassette recorders (VCRs) or other recording/reproducing devices, may be used to provide lessons to participants in association with the computer network. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,045 to Drimmer discloses a method and system for analyzing participant performance by classifying participant performance into discrete performance classifications associated with corresponding activities related to an electronic course. An observed participant performance level for at least one of the performance classifications is measured. A benchmark performance level or range is established for one or more of the performance classifications. It is then determined whether the observed participant performance level is compliant with the established benchmark performance level for the at least one performance classification. Instructive feedback is determined for the observed participant based upon any material deviation of the observed participant performance from at least one benchmark. 
         [0007]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0072136 to Roschelle et al. discloses a method and system for assessing a participant&#39;s understanding of a process that may unfold over time and space. The system comprises thin client devices in the form of wireless, hand-held, palm-sized computers that communicate with a host workstation. The system provides a sophisticated approach of directing participants to perform self-explanation, and enables instructors to enhance the value of this pedagogical process by providing meaningful and rapid feedback in a classroom setting. 
         [0008]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0072497 to Buehler et al. discloses a response system and method of retrieving user responses from a plurality of users. The response system comprises a plurality of base units and a plurality of response units. Each of the response units is adapted to receive a user input selection and to communicate that user&#39;s input selection with at least one base unit utilizing wireless communication. Personality data is provided for the response units to facilitate communication with a particular base unit. The personality data of a particular response unit is changed when it is desired to change the base unit to which that response unit communicates. This allows a response unit to become grouped with a particular base unit at a particular time and become grouped with another base unit at another particular time. 
         [0009]    Although known participant response systems are capable of analyzing student responses, some known participant response systems may not be capable of visually representing analysis results according to spatial information of participants. For example, in the case of a school classroom, some known participant response systems may not be capable of visually representing analysis results as a function of student location in a classroom, in a school, or in other geographic areas such as a school district or a city. A participant response system capable of such visual representation may better enable the teacher to identify possible relationships between student academic performance and seat location, for example, or may better enable a school board administrator to identify possible relationships between student academic performance and school location or student demographics. 
         [0010]    Additionally, conventional database systems typically require a defined data structure. If a user needs to expand a table in a database to include data of a type that has not been defined therein, the user needs to first modify the structure to include additional fields for accommodating the data, and then enter the data into the modified structure. As will be appreciated, a participant response system utilizing a more flexible database configuration is desirable. 
         [0011]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel data presentation method and a participant response system employing same. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a method of presenting data gathered by a participant response system, comprising obtaining spatial information for participants; collecting response data from the participants and generating result data; overlaying the result data on a map image in accordance with the obtained spatial information to form a data map; and displaying the data map. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the spatial information comprises at least one of spatial coordinates and geographic coordinates of the participants. The spatial information may be stored as at least one tag forming part of a tag string created for each participant. In this case, the method may further comprise analyzing the tag strings, and associating tags comprising the spatial information with the map image. The method may also further comprise parsing the tag string of each participant into at least one tag, partitioning each tag into a keyword and a tag value and/or creating the map image based on the tag values of tags comprising spatial information. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the method further comprises selecting data other than the result data to be displayed, overlaying the selected data on the map image in accordance with the spatial information to form a second data map, and displaying the second data map. 
         [0015]    The response data may comprise answer data to at least one question. In this case, the method may further comprise, prior to the collecting, administrating an assessment to the participants, the assessment comprising the at least one question, and analyzing the response data with regard to the answer to the at least one question to generate the result data. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect, there is provided a participant response system comprising a display; a plurality of participant response devices, each participant response device configured to generate response data in response to user input; and processing structure communicating with the display and the participant response devices, said processing structure being configured to analyze response data received from participant response devices and generate result data, overlay the result data on a map image in accordance with spatial information to form a data map, and display the data map on the display. 
         [0017]    According to yet another aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising a display; and processing structure communicating with the display, the processing structure executing program code causing the apparatus to analyze response data received from participant response devices and generate result data; overlay the result data on a map image in accordance with spatial information to form a data map; and display the data map on the display. 
         [0018]    According to still yet another aspect, there is provided a computer-readable medium having embodied thereon computer program code which, upon execution by processing structure, causes an apparatus to collect response data from participant response devices and generate result data; overlay said result data on a map image in accordance with spatial information to form a data map; and display said data map. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view of a participant response system; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is another schematic view of the participant response system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an interactive whiteboard forming part of the participant response system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side elevational and top plan views, respectively, of a transceiver forming part of the participant response system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the transceiver of  FIGS. 4A and 4B ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of a remote unit for use with the participant response system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a software architecture used by the participant response system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a participant response window presented by the participant response system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a management module window presented by the participant response system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a window presented by the participant response system of  FIG. 1 , showing a host-side application pop-up menu; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram showing a database structure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is an exemplary participant information tag string; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13A  is a flowchart showing the steps of a data management process; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13B  is a flowchart showing the steps of a tag analysis process; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13C  is a flowchart showing the steps of a data display process; 
           [0035]      FIG. 13D  is a flowchart showing the steps of a data plotting process; 
           [0036]      FIG. 14  is a data map presented by the participant response system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 15  is another data map presented by the participant response system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 16  is yet another data map presented by the participant response system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 17  is another embodiment of a management module window presented by the participant response system of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0040]    Turning now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a participant response system is shown and is generally identified by reference numeral  10 . In this embodiment, participant response system  10  is employed in a room  12 , e.g., a classroom, lecture hall or theatre of an educational institution such as for example a school, university, college or the like, having a plurality of seats  14 . As can be seen, the participant response system  10  comprises a general purpose computing device  16 , an interactive whiteboard or board (IWB)  18  physically connected to the general purpose computing device  16  via a cable  20 , a radio frequency (RF) transceiver  22  physically connected to the general purpose computing device  16  via a universal serial bus (USB) cable  24 , and a plurality of wireless, participant response devices  26  communicating with the general purpose computing device  16  via the transceiver  22 . In the embodiment shown, the participant response devices  26  comprise remote units  26 A and portable computing devices such as laptop computers, tablets etc.  26 B. Generally, each participant response device  26  is assigned to a seat  14 . 
         [0041]    The participant response system firmware for communicating with remote units  26 A in this embodiment is implemented on top of IEEE 802.15.4 media access control (MAC) protocol layer software provided by Texas Instruments (TI). The TI MAC protocol layer software comprises a small real-time kernel and so called Z-stack™ ZigBee compliant protocol stack to provide simple real-time operating system (OS) facilities such as for example, timer management, task management and interrupt management. Abstraction layers are used to separate the OS and the hardware drivers for ease of porting to a different OS and hardware platform. 
         [0042]    As is best seen in  FIG. 3 , IWB  18  is mounted on a vertical support surface such as for example, a wall surface or the like. IWB  18  comprises a generally planar, rectangular interactive surface  34  that is surrounded about its periphery by a bezel  36 . An ultra-short-throw projector  40  such as that sold by SMART Technologies ULC of Calgary, Alberta, Canada under the name “SMART UX60”, is also mounted on the support surface above the IWB  18  and projects an image, such as for example, a computer desktop, onto the interactive surface  34 . 
         [0043]    The IWB  18  employs machine vision to detect one or more pointers brought into a region of interest in proximity with the interactive surface  34 . The IWB  18  communicates with the general purpose computing device  16 , which executes one or more application programs, via the USB cable  20 . General purpose computing device  16  processes the output of the IWB  18  and adjusts image data that is output to the projector  40 , if required, so that the image presented on the interactive surface  34  reflects pointer activity. In this manner, the IWB  18 , general purpose computing device  16  and projector  40  allow pointer activity proximate to the interactive surface  34  to be recorded as writing or drawing or used to control execution of one or more application programs executed by the general purpose computing device  16 . 
         [0044]    The bezel  36  in this embodiment is mechanically fastened to the interactive surface  34  and comprises four bezel segments that extend along the edges of the interactive surface  34 . In this embodiment, the inwardly facing surface of each bezel segment comprises a single, longitudinally extending strip or band of retro-reflective material. To take best advantage of the properties of the retro-reflective material, the bezel segments are oriented so that their inwardly facing surfaces extend in a plane generally normal to the plane of the interactive surface  34 . 
         [0045]    A tool tray  42  is affixed to the IWB  18  adjacent the bottom bezel segment using suitable fasteners such as for example, screws, clips, adhesive etc. As can be seen, the tool tray  42  comprises a housing having an upper surface configured to define a plurality of receptacles or slots. The receptacles are sized to receive one or more pen tools  44  as well as an eraser tool (not shown) that can be used to interact with the interactive surface  34 . Control buttons (not shown) are provided on the upper surface of the housing to enable a user to control operation of the IWB  18 . Further details of the tool tray  42  are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/709,424 to Bolt et al., filed on Feb. 19, 2010, and entitled “INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND TOOL TRAY THEREFOR”, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0046]    Imaging assemblies (not shown) are accommodated by the bezel  36 , with each imaging assembly being positioned adjacent a different corner of the bezel. Each of the imaging assemblies has an infrared light source and an imaging sensor having an associated field of view. The imaging assemblies are oriented so that their fields of view overlap and look generally across the entire interactive surface  34 . In this manner, any pointer such as for example a user&#39;s finger, a cylinder or other suitable object, or a pen tool  44  or eraser tool lifted from a receptacle of the tool tray  42 , that is brought into proximity of the interactive surface  34  appears in the fields of view of the imaging assemblies. 
         [0047]    The general purpose computing device  16  in this embodiment is a personal computer or other suitable processing device or structure comprising, for example, a processing unit, system memory (volatile and/or non-volatile memory), other non-removable or removable memory (e.g., a hard disk drive, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, DVD, flash memory, etc.) and a system bus coupling the various computer components to the processing unit. The general purpose computing device  16  may also comprise networking capability using Ethernet, WiFi, and/or other network format, for connection to access shared or remote drives, one or more networked computers, or other networked devices. 
         [0048]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  5 , the transceiver  22  is better illustrated. Transceiver  22  comprises a casing  60  adapted to be desktop or wall mounted. An L-shaped omni-directional antenna  62  is mounted on the front end of the casing  60 . The rear end of the casing  60  receives the USB cable  24  via connector  64 . A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs)  66  are provided on the top surface of the casing  60  with the LEDs being illuminated to provide visual feedback concerning the operational status of the transceiver  22 . In this embodiment, the LEDs  66  comprise a power status LED and communications status LEDs. Alternatively, the transceiver  22  may provide visual feedback via a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or via both LEDs and an LCD. The transceiver electronics are accommodated by the casing  60  and comprise a microprocessor  80  that communicates with non-volatile, random access memory (NVRAM)  82 , an LED driver  84 , the antenna  62  and a USB-UART bridge  86 . Power is provided to the transceiver  22  via the USB connection. 
         [0049]    One of the remote units  26 A is better illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Remote unit  26 A comprises a casing  100  having a keypad  102 , an LCD or other suitable display  104 , a power button  106  and an optional battery status LED (not shown) on its front surface. In this embodiment, keypad  102  comprises ten dual character (A to J/0 to 9) buttons  110 , a plus/minus (+/−) button  112 , a fraction/decimal (x/y) button  114 , a true/yes (T/Y) button  116 , a false/no (F/N) button  118 , a delete (Del) button  120 , up and down scroll (̂/v) buttons  122  and  124 , a menu button  126 , a question/hands up (?) button  128  and an enter button  130 . 
         [0050]    The display  104  comprises an upper row of LCD icons  132  disposed above a character display area  134 . The LCD icons  132  comprise a plurality of status indicators such as for example a question number icon  132 A, a user status icon  132 B, a network status icon  132 C, a hands-up (?) icon  132 D, a battery status icon  132 E and a transmission status icon  132 F. The character display area  134  comprises a 128×48 pixel array that is divided into three lines. Each line can display a total of sixteen (16) characters. 
         [0051]    The casing  100  of the remote unit  26 A defines an enclosure in which electronics (not shown) are housed. In this embodiment, the electronics housed within the casing  100  comprise a microprocessor, an LCD control module, an omni-directional antenna and memory. Power is provided to the remote unit  26 A by non-rechargeable and/or rechargeable batteries (not shown) also housed within the casing  100 . The remote unit  26 A is also configured to be powered by a standard 110V/220V power source via a power cord (not shown). When the batteries used are rechargeable batteries and the remote unit  26 A is connected to the standard 110/220V power source, the remote unit  26 A charges the batteries while being able to simultaneously communicate with the general purpose computing device  16 . When battery charging has been completed, an indication of such is provided to the user and the remote unit  26 A is then able to be disconnected from the power cord and used in a wireless manner. 
         [0052]      FIG. 7  shows the software architecture used by the participant response system  10 , which is generally indicated by reference numeral  140 . Software architecture  140  comprises a host-side application  142  running on the general purpose computing device  16 . The host-side application  142  is in communication with one or more client-side applications  150  running on the response devices  26  via a network  148 . The host-side application  142  sends questions to the response devices  26 , receives responses from the response devices  26 , analyzes received responses, and presents results of the analysis or other selected data to a user of the general purpose computing device  16 . In this embodiment, the user of the general purpose computing device  16  is a facilitator of the group of participants. 
         [0053]    In the case of the remote units  26 A, the client-side application  150  is implemented as firmware stored in the memory of each remote unit  26 A, and is executed by the microprocessor when the remote unit  26 A is booted up. The client-side application  150  receives via the omni-directional antenna  62  the questions sent by the host-side application  142 , stores received questions in the memory, and displays them on the character display area  134  via the LCD control module. The client-side application  150  collects user input entered via the keypad  102 , stores the user input in the memory, and when the Enter key  130  is pressed, transmits the user input to the host-side application  142 . Further specifics of the remote unit  26 A are disclosed in PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO12008/083486 to Doerksen et al. entitled “Participant Response System Employing Battery Powered, Wireless Remote Units” filed on Jan. 10, 2008, and assigned to SMART Technologies ULC of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, assignee of the subject application, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0054]    In the case of the portable computing devices  26 B, the client-side application  150  is implemented as a software application running on the portable computing devices  26 B. In this embodiment, the software application running on the portable computing devices  26 B is SMART Notebook™ Student Edition software, offered by SMART Technologies ULC. In this implementation, the client-side application  150  presents a graphical user interface (GUI) window shown in  FIG. 8  that is generally indicated using reference numeral  158 . Window  158  is configured to display questions and user input responses, and is presented to participants during an assessment. 
         [0055]    Referring again to  FIG. 7 , the host-side application  142  comprises an assessment tool  144  and a management module  146 . In this embodiment, the assessment tool  144  is SMART Notebook™ software offered by SMART Technologies ULC. The assessment tool  144  comprises a graphical user interface (GUI) for facilitating interaction with the IWB  18 . When the assessment tool  144  is being employed, the GUI of the assessment tool  144  is output by the general purpose computing device  16  and conveyed to the IWB  18 , which in turn is used by the projector  40  to display the GUI on interactive surface  34 . In this manner, the IWB  18  can be used by the facilitator to create and administer assessments and to analyze assessment results. 
         [0056]    The management module  146  also comprises a GUI in the form of a management module window that is presented on the display screen of the general purpose computing device  16  (and/or optionally the interactive surface) when the management module  146  is being employed. The management module  146  provides a variety of functions selectable by the facilitator for generally managing participants, groups, response devices, and assessments.  FIG. 9  shows the management module window, which is generally indicated by reference numeral  180 . Management module window  180  comprises an add-group button  182  that may be selected to create a new participant group. In the embodiment shown, Add-group button  182  is labelled “Add a Class”. Management module window  180  also comprises a list  184  of groups, each of which may be selected for viewing or editing. In the embodiment shown, the list  184  comprises a single group “Class A”. Management module window  180  also comprises a participants tab  186  that may be selected to display a list  188  of participants of the group selected from list  184 . In the embodiment shown, participants tab  186  is labelled “students”. Each of the participants in list  188  may be selected to view and edit additional information about that participant. In the embodiment shown, the additional information comprises student ID  190 , First Name  192 , Last Name  194 , Email  196 , and Tags  198 . 
         [0057]    As described above, the host side application  142  runs on the general purpose computing device  16  which, in this embodiment, uses a Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system. As shown in  FIG. 10 , a desktop icon  222  representing the host-side application  142  is displayed in the system tray of the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system. Clicking on the icon  222  displays a host-side application pop-up menu  224  for accessing the assessment tool  144  and the management module  146  of the participant response system  10 . Host-side application pop-up menu  224  comprises an Ask Questions icon  226  that may be selected to launch the assessment tool  144 . Host-side application pop-up menu  224  also comprises a Facilitator Tools icon  228  that may be selected to launch the management module  146  for managing participants and groups, and for viewing data. 
         [0058]    Participant response system  10  further comprises a database stored by the general purpose computing device  16 , which is shown in  FIG. 11  and generally indicated by reference numeral  260 . Database  260  is configured to store data used by the participant response system  10  and recorded therein by the management module  146 . In particular, the database  260  is configured to store data categorized as: organization information  262 , which may for example comprise a school name, a school address, teacher identity (ID) information, teacher schedules, tags, etc.; group information  264 , which may for example comprise the name, schedule, room number, the names of students of a class set up by the teacher, tags, etc.; and participant information  266 , which may for example comprise participant IDs, participant names, tags, etc. Database  260  is also configured to store map images  268 , which may for example be conventional geographic maps or other forms of spatial representation. For example, the spatial representation may be an image of a classroom showing seats, a floor plan of a building, a map of a school, or a map of a city, a state or a province, or a country relevant to a school or a class. 
         [0059]    The data categories  262 ,  264  and  266  further comprise spatial information  270  including spatial coordinates such as, for example, seat coordinates in a classroom, or for example geographic coordinates of a school on a map. 
         [0060]    Some data within each of the data categories  262 ,  264  and  266  is organized using tags data fields. Each tags data field comprises a tag string in which information about each of the organizations, groups and participants, is represented.  FIG. 12  shows an example of tag string  280  entered into a participant information tags data field. In the embodiment shown, the tag string  280  comprises three (3) tags  282 A to  282 C separated by a first delimiter  284 . Each tag  282 A to  282 C comprises a respective keyword  288 A to  288 C and a respective tag value  290 A to  290 C separated by a second delimiter  286 . In this embodiment, the keywords and tag values are entered by the facilitator. 
         [0061]    The host-side application  142  uses a data management process for generally managing data used by the participant response system  10 . A flowchart showing the steps of the data management process is shown in  FIG. 13A , and is generally indicated using reference numeral  310 . Process  310  starts when the host-side application  142  is started on the general purpose computing device  16  (step  320 ). Once started, the desktop icon  222  representing the host-side application  142  is displayed in the system tray of the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system, as shown in  FIG. 10 , and the process awaits input of a command from the facilitator (step  322 ). By selecting the icon  226  on the pop-up menu  224 , the assessment tool  144  is launched for enabling the facilitator to create or edit an assessment (step  324 ). In this embodiment, each assessment is a SMART Notebook™ document comprising one or more questions of any of a true/false type, a yes/no type, a multiple choice type, a short answer type, and a math question type. Following step  324 , the process returns to step  322  to await input of another command. 
         [0062]    By selecting either an “import map” button (not shown) in the “Home” tab of the management module window  180 , or an “import map” function (not shown) in a menu of the management module window  180 , an “import map” dialogue box (not shown) is displayed for enabling a map image selected by the facilitator to be imported into the database  260  (step  326 ). The map image may be imported into the database  260  from any storage medium in communication with the database  260 , such as for example a flash drive or a hard drive, or from a network page or a folder at a network location, or may be imported into the database  260  by copying the map image from an image viewing and/or image processing application and pasting the image into the database  260 . Once the map image has been imported, the facilitator is then able to add one or more hot spots to the map image (step  328 ). Each of the hot spots is a point at which data is to be associated with the map image. For example, hot spots may be added to an image of a classroom to designate seat locations, and hot spots may for example be added to a city map image to designate postal code zones. 
         [0063]    In this embodiment, a plurality of map images may be imported and then linked together to form a combined map image of greater size and having a map structure over a range of scales for enabling the facilitator to view data at different zoom levels. For example, a teacher may view data in a city, and then “zoom-in” to view data within the school, and then “zoom-in” still further to view data within a classroom. Similarly, the teacher for example may also “zoom-out” to view data on larger scales. In this embodiment, the plurality of map images is linked together automatically by the management module  146 . Following step  328 , the process returns to step  322  to await input of another command. 
         [0064]    By selecting the icon  228  on pop-up menu  224 , the management module  146  is launched, enabling the facilitator to “set up” a group (step  330 ). Here, the facilitator may create a new group or edit an existing group, and may input or modify group information through interaction with the management module window  180 . The group information may comprise, for example, a name of a class, a class room number, names of students in the class, and a class schedule. Once a group has been set up, the facilitator may then add participants to the group (step  332 ). Here, the facilitator may also input or modify participant information, such as for example student ID, student name, and tag strings. Once all participant information has been entered, the management module  146  then analyzes the tag strings of participants of the group (step  334 ). 
         [0065]      FIG. 13B  shows steps in the tag string analysis process carried out during step  334 . Management module  146  first parses the tag string  280  of each participant into tags (step  350 ). The tags are identified by referring to the first delimiters  284 . The management module  146  then partitions each tag into a keyword  288  and a tag value  290  by referring to the second delimiter  286 . A list of unique keywords  288  is then generated from the parsed tags (step  352 ). The management module  146  then gets a keyword from the keyword list, starting with the first keyword in the keyword list (step  354 ). The management module  146  then identifies participants having a tag comprising the keyword  288  (step  356 ). The management module  146  then determines if the keyword is a spatial information keyword (step  358 ). In this embodiment, the spatial information keywords comprise “seat location”, “classroom location”, “postal code”/“zip code”, “GPS location”, and “mailing address”, however it will be understood that other spatial information keywords may of course be used. If the keyword  288  is not a spatial information keyword, the process proceeds to step  362 . If the keyword  288  is a spatial information keyword, the management module  146  associates the tag values  290  with a relevant map image (step  360 ). 
         [0066]      FIG. 13C  shows steps in a tag value association process carried out during step  360 . First, the management module  146  checks whether a map image relevant to the keyword is available (step  364 ). For example, if the keyword is “seat location”, the management module  146  searches the database  260  to determine if a room map image is available. As another example, if the keyword is “postal code” or “zip code”, the management module  146  searches the database  260  to determine if a city map image is available. If it is determined at step  364  that a relevant map image is available, the process proceeds to step  374 . If it is determined at step  364  that no relevant map image is available, the management module  146  determines a value space for the keyword (step  366 ). The value space is a union of all unique tag values  290  associated with the keyword  288 , as obtained during step  350 . The management module  146  then proceeds to generate a map image based on the value space. Here, a shape is first applied for spatially representing the tag values  290  (step  368 ). In this embodiment, the shape is a rectangle. The management module  146  then determines the size of a grid based on the value space of the keyword (step  370 ), and applies the grid to the shape (step  372 ). For example, if the keyword is “seat location” having respective tag values expressed in the form of an X-Y coordinate set (X, Y), the management module  146  searches the value space to determine the largest values of X and Y, namely Xmax and Ymax. The shape is then partitioned into a grid of cells, the grid having Xmax rows and Ymax columns, and with each cell of the grid being defined as a hotspot. As another example, if the keyword is “postal code” having respective tag values expressed in the form of (A1A 1A1), the management module  146  searches the value space to determine a size S of the value space, namely the number of unique postal codes. The management module  146  then calculates two positive integers M and N, whereby the product of M and N is the smallest number larger than S. The shape is then partitioned into a grid of cells having M rows and N columns, with each cell of the grid being defined as a hotspot. 
         [0067]    Tag values  290  of the keyword  288  are then associated with the relevant map image at corresponding hot spots (step  374 ). The management module  146  then checks to determine if all tag values  290  have been associated with the relevant map image (step  376 ). If yes, the process proceeds to step  382 ; otherwise, an orphan zone is created within the map image (step  378 ). Any tag value  290  that is not already associated with a corresponding hot spot of the map image is associated with the orphan zone (step  380 ). An empty legend zone is then created within the map image (step  382 ). 
         [0068]    Turning again to  FIG. 13B , following step  360 , the management module  146  checks to determine if all keywords  288  in the keyword list have been processed (step  362 ). If all keywords  288  have not been processed, the process proceeds to step  354  to get the next keyword  288  from the keyword list. If all keywords  288  have been processed signifying completion of step  334 , the data management process returns to step  322  to await input of another command. 
         [0069]    Turning again to  FIG. 13A , an assessment session is started by launching the assessment tool  144 , if not already open, opening a desired assessment, and selecting a “start assessment” button (not shown) presented therein (step  336 ). Upon starting the assessment session, the questions of the assessment are transmitted to the response devices  26  (step  338 ). As participants enter responses to the questions using the response devices  26 , the responses are then transmitted to the general purpose computing device  16  (step  340 ). When the assessment is finished, the facilitator ends the assessment (step  342 ). The general purpose computing device  16  then analyzes the received responses to determine response data. In this embodiment, the response data comprise whether or not participant responses are correct, participant scores for the assessment, and statistical results of the assessment for the group that are automatically calculated after the assessment (step  344 ). Following step  344 , the process returns to step  322  to await input of another command. 
         [0070]    A “show data” command may be entered at step  322  by selecting a “show data” button (not shown) presented by the management module  146 , or a “show data” button (not shown) presented by the assessment tool  144 . In this embodiment, the selected data comprises the response data generated during step  344 . However, as will be understood, the selected data may be any data stored in the database  260  and selected by the facilitator for display. If the data selected for display is a statistical result that has not yet been calculated, the management module  146  calculates the statistical result and saves it in the database  260 . Following step  346 , the process returns to step  322  to await input of another command. 
         [0071]    If a “quit” command is received at step  322 , the process  310  ends (step  348 ). 
         [0072]      FIG. 13D  shows steps in a data plotting process carried out during step  346 . Here, the management module  146  prompts the facilitator to select data that is to be displayed, to select one or more data display formats in which the data is to be displayed, and to select a spatial information keyword. The data display formats are any of numerical data and one or more graphical charts. In this embodiment, the graphical charts are any of a bar chart, a pie chart, a line chart, and a scatter chart. Once the data to be displayed, the one or more data display formats, and the spatial information keyword have been selected, the management module  146  retrieves the selected data from the database  260  and generates one or more charts showing the data in the selected one or more data display formats (step  402 ). The management module  146  then overlays the selected data in the one or more selected data display formats on the map image based on the tag values  290  associated with the selected spatial information keyword  288  (step  404 ). The management module  146  then creates one or more legends in the legend zone (step  406 ), and the map image and the overlaid data are displayed together as a data map on the display screen of the general purpose computing device  16  (and/or optionally on the interaction surface  34 ) (step  408 ). 
         [0073]      FIG. 14  shows an exemplary data map presented on the display screen of the general purpose computing device  16 , and which is generally indicated by reference numeral  500 . Data map  500  comprises a room map image  502  which, in the embodiment shown, is a classroom map. Room map image  502  has been generated using seat location tag values applied to a rectangular shape. The room map image  502  comprises a narrow rectangle  504  representing a blackboard for indicating the orientation of the classroom depicted in the room map image  502 . In the embodiment shown, the room map image  502  comprises a 3×6 grid. Each cell of the grid corresponds to a seat  506 , and is indicated by a rectangle, as shown. Each seat  506  that is associated with a participant has the name of the participant overlaid thereon. Each seat  506 A that is not associated with a participant has no name overlaid. The data map  500  also comprises an orphan zone  510 . In the embodiment shown, the orphan zone  510  comprises five participants  512  who are not associated with seats. Data map  500  also comprises a legend  514  in the legend zone. In the embodiment shown, data  508  selected by the facilitator for display is overlaid on the seats  506  and on participants  512  in the orphan zone  510 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 15  shows another exemplary data map presented on the display screen of the general purpose computing device, and which is generally indicated by reference numeral  600 . Data map  600  comprises a map image  602  which, in the embodiment shown, is an image of a classroom comprising seats. Hot spots have been associated with the seats shown in the map image  602 . Data map  600  also comprises a legend  614  and an orphan zone  610 . Data  608  selected by the facilitator for display is displayed on the hot spots associated with the map image  602  and with participants  612  in the orphan zone  610 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 16  shows yet another exemplary data map presented on the display screen of the general purpose computing device  16 , and which is generally indicated by reference numeral  700 . Data map  700  comprises a map image  702  which, in the embodiment shown, is an image of a city postal code map. Hot spots have been associated with postal code zones shown in the map image  702 . Data  708  selected by the facilitator for display is displayed on the hot spots of the map image  702 . Data map  700  also comprises a legend  714 . 
         [0076]    In this embodiment, map image  702  is a combined map image formed from a plurality of map images of smaller size that are linked and has a map structure over a range of scales for enabling the facilitator to view data  708  at different zoom levels. Here, the facilitator may “zoom-in” the map image  702  to generate a new data map showing data within a postal code zone, and may further “zoom-in” to generate a new data map showing data within a class room, as shown in  FIG. 15 , for example. 
         [0077]    Although in embodiments described above, tags are set up for each participant, in other embodiments, tags may alternatively be set up for each response device  26 . For example,  FIG. 17  shows another embodiment of a management module window, and which is generally indicated by reference numeral  840 . Management module window  840  comprises a “Devices” tab  846 , which is selectable for displaying a list  848  of participant response devices  26  associated with a group selected from a group list  844 . In the embodiment shown, the group list  844  comprises a single class “Class A”. Each of the participant response devices  26  in list  848  may be selected to view additional information about that response device. In the embodiment shown, the additional information comprises response device ID (e.g., the MAC address of the response device), response device type, and tags  858 . Information may optionally be entered into user ID, user name and user email fields, and these fields may be left vacant if the response device is not assigned to a particular participant, for example. 
         [0078]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 17 , tags  858  may be analyzed and used for determining response results data as described above. Tags comprising spatial information may be used to analyze the participant responses, and the response data may be overlaid on relevant map images. 
         [0079]    In other embodiments, the management module may alternatively be configured to accept entry of a tag value without an associated keyword. During subsequent analyzing of tags, tag values not having an associated keyword are compared to a set of feasible tag values and feasible tag value formats, and an associated keyword is then determined for the tag value according to predefined rules. For example, instead of inputting a seat arrangement tag as “seat location: (2, 3)”, the facilitator may simply input a tag value of “(2, 3)”, and the associated keyword of “seat location” will be determined based on the tag value. 
         [0080]    Although in embodiments described above, the value of the “seat location” tag is a set of seat coordinates, in other embodiments, the value of the “seat location” tag may alternatively be a seat number. 
         [0081]    Although in embodiments described above, the spatial information tags comprise any of seat location, classroom location, postal code, and mailing address, it will be understood by those of skilled in the art that other tags may be used. For example, a tag “location” comprising tag values of “home” and “school” (e.g., “location: home”) may be used. As another example, a tag “location” comprising tag values of classroom names (e.g., “location: classroom 27” or “location: Computer Lab 3”) may also be used. As other examples, a “participant group” tag comprising tag values describing one or more participant groups may be used, and an “organization” tag comprising tag values describing one or more organizations may be used. It will be understood that still other tags may be used. 
         [0082]    Although in embodiments described above, the tag keywords are entered by the facilitator, in other embodiments, the tag keywords may alternatively be previously defined. 
         [0083]    Although in embodiments described above, spatial information of the participants is obtained from tags, in other embodiments, spatial information may alternatively be collected automatically from other sources. For example, in one related embodiment, a facilitator may set up a group and allow participants to join the group from one or more remote geographic locations. When participants join the group, the IP addresses of the response devices used by the participants are collected, and are then analyzed to determine the cities, provinces/states and countries of the participants. In still other embodiments, spatial information may be collected from other sources, such as, for example, by querying LDAP servers in the network, from a cellular network, from WiFi network location services, such as for example the Skyhook WiFi location service provided by Skyhook Wireless, and/or from Global Positioning System (GPS) devices incorporated into the response devices. In related embodiments, tags may be automatically generated based on the collected spatial information. For example, a GPS location tag may be automatically generated as “geo: 51.062770, −114.082139” for a response device equipped with a GPS device. Here, the tag values of automatically generated GPS location tags may be automatically updated in real-time. 
         [0084]    As will be understood, the configurations of the host-side and client-side applications are not limited to those described above and in other embodiments, other configurations of the host-side and client-side applications may be used. For example, the host-side application  142  may reside and run on one or more servers, and may communicate with each other through a network. As another example, any of the assessment tool and the management module may alternatively be web applications running on one or more servers, and may provide one or more GUIs to the facilitator via a web browser on a computing device used by the facilitator. Similarly, the client-side applications may alternatively be web applications that run on one or more servers, and may provide a GUI to each participant via a web browser on each response device. As a further example, both host-side and client-side applications may be web applications that run on one or more servers, and may provide one or more GUIs to the facilitator and participants via web browsers. 
         [0085]    Although in embodiments described above, the management module is used by the facilitator to set up groups, in other embodiments, the management module may alternatively be used by a system administrator to set up groups. 
         [0086]    Although in embodiments described above, the management module associates the tag values with a relevant map image, in other embodiments, the management module may alternatively associate the tag values with a plurality of relevant map images. 
         [0087]    Although in embodiments described above, the shape applied to the room is a rectangle, in other embodiments, other shapes may alternatively be applied to the room. In other embodiments, the shape may be chosen by a facilitator upon being prompted to choose a shape similar to the shape of the room. 
         [0088]    Although in embodiments described above, the response devices comprise remote units and portable laptop or tablet computing devices, in other embodiments, the response devices may alternatively comprise other computing devices, such as, for example, smartphones, personal digital assistants etc. (PDAs). Here, the smartphones and/or PDAs would communicate with the general purpose computing device  16  wirelessly via the transceiver  22  or via other, commercial wireless transceivers such as wireless routers, or via wired connections such as for example Ethernet or Internet. 
         [0089]    In other embodiments, the participant response system may be connected to a network and participant information, including tags, may alternatively be stored in a central database such that, when setting up a group, the facilitator may simply retrieve participant information from the central database and associate it with the group. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that instead of using tags, the system may alternatively provide the facilitator with an administrating tool for setting up fields of various types of participant information, allowing the facilitator to input participant information to corresponding fields. 
         [0090]    Although the general purpose computing device is described as being physically connected to the IWB and transceiver via cables, the general purpose computing device may alternatively communicate with the IWB and transceiver over a wireless communication link. 
         [0091]    It will be understood that in other embodiments, the keypad of the remote units may alternatively comprise a set of keys that is different from that of the embodiment described above, such as for example a full QWERTY key set or a DVORAK key set, or a subset thereof. If desired, the entire physical keypad or a portion thereof may be replaced with a touch screen overlying the LCD display to allow a user to interact with virtual keys. 
         [0092]    Although in embodiments described above, the remote units are powered by any of batteries and a 110/220V source via a power cord, in other embodiments, the remote unit may be powered by any of a photovoltaic source and a manually cranked generator. 
         [0093]    Although in embodiments described above, the facilitator is teacher, the participants are students of a class, the group is a class, and the assessment is a test, it will be understood that in other embodiments, the facilitator and the participants may be other persons, the group may alternatively be another grouping, and the assessment may alternatively be another form of assessing. 
         [0094]    Although embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.