A Chicago-based education technology startup, GoSoapBox, has released a new assessment tool designed to enhance student learning and comprehension. Titled GoSoapBox, the eLearning application for classrooms has been developed as a Web-based mobile application capable of working over any device with an Internet connection. The application can enhance learning in students and can be applied for students in elementary school as well as at the college level.

In a release, John Pytel, GoSoapBox cofounder and CEO, said that, “Everyone can remember a time when they avoided asking a question in class because they didn’t want to stand out or look as if they didn’t understand. GoSoapBox allows teachers to hear what their students are thinking, giving them insights into student comprehension that were never before possible. Plus they can customize the program to best fit their style of teaching.”

Highlighting features of the GoSoapBox application include a discussions functionality which allows educators to create discussion topics or questionnaires. Since all interactions are anonymous, student participation is encouraged. The Socially Ranked Q&A encourages students to submit, reply and vote specific questions they want answered.

Using the Confusion Barometer toggle option a student can inform the teacher about non-comprehension over a particular topic or lesson. The teacher is delivered with a graphical representation of the data in real-time and can go back to where the student(s) indicated confusion over understanding the material.

The application also includes Polls/Quizzes which allow teachers to assess the comprehension level of the students via multiple-choice questions; the results of which are then delivered to the teacher graphically. Also included in the application is a profanity filter and 24/7 access which means students can use the application to study from any location while the teacher can go over what the student studied directly from the classroom.

Christin Opreska, a teacher at Northern Lebanon High School in Fredericksburg, PA, said that, “What makes GoSoapBox so valuable is the fact that I get instant feedback on what students are grasping in my English class. GoSoapBox has been an incredible tool to pinpoint comprehension gaps when my students are reading independently.”