Clickers Classroom Response Systems

(CRS)

Kelly Koser

What is CRS?• CRS is a set of hardware and software

that facilitates teaching activities: Teacher poses multiple-choice

questions to students Students submit answer to question

using a handheld transmitter (clicker) Teacher makes “on the fly”

instructional choices in response to bar chart

What is CRS? Instructional technologies that enable

teachers to collect & analyze student responses to questions during lessons.

CRS facilitates “active learning”

Increase student attention, interest, and learning through engagement.

Provide immediate feedback to students & to instructors.

Permits everyone to participate “safely”

Initiate discussion & peer instruction Teach in a way that adapts to

immediate learning needs of students

When to use CRS Use clickers prior to a lesson. Use clickers during a lesson. Use clickers for peer instruction. Use clickers after a lesson. Use clickers for a quiz/test. Use clickers to compare results. Take attendance

I>CLICKER i>clicker: Costs about $26.50 per clicker; simple remote (multiple choice questions with answers A-E)

EINSTRUCTION eInstruction: costs about $16 (remote), $15/item or $50 lifetime; Multiple choice & numeric entries.

TURNING POINT Turning Point: costs about $40 per item

Challenges Technical Reliability Cost Getting started takes time Writing effective multiple-choice

questions

Questions & Answers How do I lead a class-wide discussion

after a clicker question? Don’t reveal the correct answer

immediately. Ask for explanations to answers.

What if the technology doesn’t work or students forget clickers?

Practice with technology before class. For graded questions, students can write their answers on paper and turn that in.

Questions & Answers How do I begin? Find someone who’s currently using

clickers and ask for their advice. Contact campus technology office for

additional support and supplies. College bookstores & on-line has

products.

Videos/Resources for Clickers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaQRHzB-Qwc

http://www.utexas.edu/academic/cit/gallery/utprofiles/cps/silverthorn/dee03A.html

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/cft/resources/teaching_resources/technology/crs.htm

Teaching with Classroom Response Systems by Derek Bruff

Practice with Clickers What does CRS stand for?A. Classroom Representatives and Staff.B. Classroom Reports and Stars.C. Classroom Response Systems.

Practice with Clickers What do clickers facilitate?A. Active engagement.B. Nothing