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.
- 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.
- 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.
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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