Idea 10: Using Clickers with Uncomfortable Topics

What are Clickers?

Clickers, also known as classroom response systems, are devices that students can use in the classroom to respond to instructor questions. They are connected to a receiver, which sends the information to a computer program to be displayed.

Instructions

• Create a poll around a controversial issue, or something too personal to share such as political affiliation or drug use.
• It can be best to write a statement and go with a 4-point Likert scale to avoid anyone sitting on the fence.
• Another option is a controversial question and several common answers.
• Ask all students to answer the poll anonymously.
• Being anonymous encourages participation and honesty.
• Once everyone has answered the poll, reveal the results to the class.

Advantages

• The ice can be easily broken for discussions with traditionally tricky topics.
• Viewpoints that may not be heard in the discussion are visually represented for the whole class.
• Students feel a greater sense of ownership over the resulting discussion.
• Everyone gets an idea how the class in general feels about the issue, essentially ensuring no student feels alone in their beliefs.
• The professor gets an accurate idea of student beliefs, not just what the vocal minority believe.

Adapted from:

Zhu, E. (2007) Teaching with Clickers. Retrieved from https://www.crlt.umich.edu/sites/default/files/resource_files/CRLT_no22.pdf

 

For more information, see also the CIIA’s resource page on Clickers or the online module on Using Clickers in the College Classroom.

Note 1: WWU’s Classroom Services can check out clickers.

Note 2: Several web-based tools, such as Socrative, can be used instead of clicker when all students have devices and clear Wi-Fi is available.

 

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