Active Learning with Clickers

Slides used in workshop: ActiveLearningClickers.pps

Handout shared with participants:

Clickers are also known as:

• audience response systems
• wireless keypad response systems
• classroom communication systems
• electronic response systems
• classroom response systems

Clickers allow:

• Instructors to present question or problem to the class.
• Students to enter answers (anonymously) with clickers.
• Instant aggregation & presentation of results.

Pedagogical problems that clickers can address:

• inability to assess prior knowledge before class
• inability to assess comprehension during class
• inability to get responses to sensitive questions
• lack of active participation in large classes
• poor attendance

Research suggests that clickers can:

• generate greater engagement
• increase understanding of complex subject matter
• increase interest and enjoyment
• heighten discussion & interactivity
• increase awareness of own understanding
• increase teacher insight into student difficulties

Designing Questions for Clickers

telr.osu.edu...

Designing and Managing Multiple Choice Questions:

web.uct.ac.za

Clicker Strategies

ids.ku.edu...

Challenges using clickers:

• creating good questions
• more time-consuming—less content can be covered
• good timing and pacing of class
• classroom management—distribution & return of clickers, elevated noise level
• give credit for participation?
• clickers for taking attendance?
• clickers for quizzes or exams?

Tips for success:

• Provide clear instructions.
• Allow time for students to get used to devices.
• Use sparingly.
• Ask simple questions with > 5 answers.
• Don’t wait for 100% response.
• Encourage discussion before & after answering questions.
• Spread questions throughout the class session.
• Rehearse & test technology before class.

To learn more about clickers:

• 7 Things You Should Know About Clickers connect.educause.edu
• Clickers in the Classroom: An Active Learning Approach www.educause.edu...
• Designing Questions for Clickers telr.osu.edu
• Classroom response systems bibliography www.vanderbilt.edu...
• Student Response Systems at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee www4.uwm.edu
• EDUCAUSE Pocket Edition #4: Clickers (14:44 audio) connect.educause.edu...