Okay, I’ve completed my training with the friendly people at iClicker, and I’m ready to start using this fun technology starting next quarter. I’m jumping in with both feet–using iClickers for both my introductory psychology and biological psychology classes. There is method to my madness–not only have I been impressed with research results suggesting that students perform better in classes using audience response systems, but I’m hoping to develop a set of clicker questions to accompany my biopsych textbook. I figured that the best way to develop a good set of clicker content was to try it out myself.
iClickers are Fun!
The iClicker website has many helpful tips for good clicker practices, including case studies submitted by professors experienced with the technology. In addition, I have found an article by Jane Caldwell (“Clickers in the Large Classroom: Current Research and Best-Practice Tips”) to be very enlightening.
Some of the things I like about iClicker is its ease of use (you just make a powerpoint slide with your multiple choice or true-false question, and the technology automatically makes a screen capture of it), its compatibility with Blackboard, which we use at Cal Poly, and its many sensible features (you can make questions anonymous or scored).
One of my reservations about using iClicker was asking students to spend even more money for my classes. In an informal poll of my students, some of whom have used the technology previously, the surprisingly unanimous response was that the technology was worth the money. Once again, iClicker makes this easy. You can use the clicker for multiple classes and share one with friends, as long as you’re not all enrolled in the same class.
My eventual hope is to compile a set of at least two really good clicker questions for each hour of class, or 80 total. Stay tuned, and wish me luck!
7 Comments
kpeters · February 27, 2009 at 6:12 pm
This seems like a great way to get students participating in class without having to be pointed out. This way, all students can give their input without fear of being wrong about a question. I have personally never used or known anyone who has used this technology before, but it does sound like a great idea!
krusch · February 27, 2009 at 9:39 pm
This technology is a really good way for teachers to get feedback from students if they are understanding or not, and is also a great way to take attendance. I have used this technology in a chemistry class before, and it was helpful but I have not used the clicker since that class. I think that if more teachers used this technology and there was a universal remote used at our school it would be worth the money to buy one ans students wouldn’t mind spending the money. Maybe as more time passes it will be used more in the classroom. Good luck!
elliekrump · February 28, 2009 at 11:35 pm
I have never used iClicker before, but I have always been jealous of my friends that got to use these cool devices in their own classrooms! 🙂 I definitely think that these nifty tools make it easy to encourage classroom involvement; students will be inclined to participate more this way and do not have to worry that they will be made fun of or judged for doing so, as results are anonymous. I think that these tools can also be used to measure class understanding as well. Professors can ask key chapter questions or test questions to measure the classes’ understanding of a certain subject. If the majority of the class answers correctly, it is likely that the class has a decent understanding of the topic being covered; however, if the majority of the class answers a question incorrectly, the teacher can consider spending more time or review on this certain subject. All in all, I believe that this technology has the possibility to yield great benefits.
shakiamitchell · March 1, 2009 at 9:39 pm
This i clicker thing sounds like really neat addition to the classroom. I think it would be very benificial and may be able to help boost students grades because more questions are being asked. I look forward to using them in the future it woud be interesting to see the effect it has on the classroom.
rsheffel3 · March 2, 2009 at 1:04 am
The i clicker seems like an interesting way to promote interaction in the classroom. I have never had a class where the iclicker was used, but friends that have say that they were used mostly for quizes, which seems practical at the same time practicing being green and saving paper.
This interacting promotes attendance as well. Students are more likely to attend class if they are subject to random in class iclicker questions for credit.
I have not seen many seeing impaired students around Cal Poly, but I could see this issue presenting a problem with the iclicker method. Of course the developers of this product are keeping in mind the majority of students are seeing, but I think its vital to consider the inclusivity of these technical products.
Overall, I think this i clicker tool would be useful in most circumstances, pending the cost is not too astronomical.
raquelart22 · March 2, 2009 at 8:42 am
This is news to my ears, I have never heard of iClick. I think iClick would be extrememly affective for taking test and answering questions in class. I would buy one if the majority of my professors used that type of technology. IClick appears to be very simple and easy…it looks like the surveys they have on talkshows when they want the audience to give there point of view, for example “Who wants to be a Millianaire” (ask the audience). Well I hope before I graduation that I can use iClick inside of scantrons!
Laura Freberg · March 3, 2009 at 3:45 pm
I really appreciate all of the positive feedback. I was very worried about asking students to buy something more for my classes, but I think people will really enjoy using them. Do you want me to show you how it works in class?
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