Pearson Live Response vs PhET Interactive Simulations

Pearson Live Response is a web-based classroom engagement tool that shows instructors student understanding and participation in real time. Instructors can create, reuse, or adapt sessions, use Pearson content, or build questions with a drag-and-drop planner. Supported formats include multiple choice, written, matching, hotspot, and composite sketch questions. Live charts, word clouds, and visual overlays display responses as they arrive. During a lesson, instructors can pause, discuss, and resend questions, while a scoring slider balances participation and correctness. Geofencing and unique session codes connect participation to the physical classroom. End-of-session reports show class trends, individual responses, and participation levels. Live Response is built into Pearson MyLab and Mastering, and students can join from any device without downloading an app or completing extra setup. Student access through those products costs nothing, with no additional charge. A standalone version is available through Pearson with pricing on request. Current Learning Catalytics users can continue running sessions, and Pearson offers transition-planning help.

PhET Interactive Simulations provides interactive science and mathematics simulations for students from preschool through university. Its design emphasizes scientific inquiry, visual mental models, multiple representations, real-world connections, and flexible classroom use; the simulations include virtual experiments and guided lessons. PhET says simulations are evaluated for educational effectiveness through student interviews and classroom observation. All are open source, and they are written in HTML5, with some legacy simulations in Java or Flash. They can run online or be downloaded. Android and iOS apps include HTML5 simulations and translations for offline use and automatically download new HTML5 simulations. A desktop app provides HTML5 and Java simulations and translations for offline use on Windows and macOS. The service is available on the web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and select Chromebooks. Android browser-based HTML5 simulations and Linux are not officially supported. The free simulations plan is available to students and teachers. Commercial use requires a license from the University of Colorado Boulder.