TOOL OR TOY

USING PERSONAL RESPONSE DEVICES IN INFORMATION LITERACY INSTRUCTION

Patrick Griffis June 5, 2008

Outline

Overview of Personal Response Systems/Clickers

Scalable Options of Clicker Systems

Benefits/Drawbacks for Using Clickers in Instruction

Experimenting with Clickers/Lessons Learned

Clicker Use Considerations

Proposed Experimentation Method

Personal Response Systems ‘Clickers’

System allowing instructors to pose questions to students which students can answer anonymously

Anonymous response feature encourages participation from students which enhances student engagement in the classroom and provides instructors immediate feedback

Personal Response Systems were developed as a tool to increase student feedback and engagement in large class settings

Hardware: Receivers

Infrared Receivers Line of sight with Clicker Devices Support only 40 Clickers Receivers not portable---have to be installed in

classrooms Outdated model

Radiofrequency Receivers Increased range---no line of sight required Supports virtually unlimited number of clickers Receivers are portable---can be used anywhere Popular model

Hardware: Student Clicker Devices

Simple Keypad True False/Multiple Choice No Text/Numeric Entry No Display Screen Supports limited range of questioning Small, easy to use with less features to play with

Feature Rich Keypad LCD Display Screen Text/Numeric Character Entry---Up to 12-15

Characters Supports wider range of questioning Larger, more complicated entry, more

distracting

Virtual Clicker

Web Based Response Keypad (VPad)

Downloadable software based clicker

No need for students to carry around clickers

Accessible via computer or laptop or PDA with internet access

Can be used along with regular clicker devices

Individual user license and site licenses available

Virtual Clicker

Scalable Options: Common Model

Clicker Software + Receiver + Clicker Devices

Standard Model

Students pay cost of Clickers

Instructor responsible for receiver and software

Requires software download to instructor’s computer

Scalable Options: Software Only

Clicker Software + Virtual Response Keypads

Receiver not required and Clicker Devices not required

Local Area Network and/or Wireless Network

Student computers connect via broadcasted IP Address

Requires software download to instructor computer and Virtual Clicker download to student computers

Scalable Options: Clicker Only

Clicker Devices Only

LCD screen handheld receiver

Computer and projector not required

Answers from student keypads displayed and stored on handheld receiver and can be exported via USB to a computer

Easiest system to implement/Can be used anywhere

Scalable Options: Clicker Only

Tool: Clicker Benefits

Can increase student interactivity and engagement in bibliographic instruction with a ‘workshop’ feel

Can help instructor to assess what students already know coming into the session allowing instruction to be tailored to what students don’t know

Can help instructor assess what students have retained/learned in a session as well as areas that need reinforcement

Toy: Clicker Drawbacks

Learning curve for students can take time away from an instruction session which might already be hurting for time

Some instructors feel that Clickers are another of many slick gadgets/technologies that already serve to distract students in the classroom

Clickers Good---Cell Phones Bad---Mixed Message for Students

Toy: Clicker Drawbacks

Clicker use more expensive for Libraries which have the burden of purchasing Clicker Devices

More feasible for classes that meet regularly to require students to purchase clicker devices

It costs more to use Clickers for Library Instruction Sessions than for Term Courses and Library Instruction Sessions have a much smaller window of opportunity to use these devices

Nascent need to experiment for feasibility

Experimentation Issues: Trial Kit Size

Vendor ‘Trial Kits’ limited in scale

Trial Kits typically no larger than 10 Clicker Devices

Could not experiment with using Clickers in large class settings for which Clicker Systems are intended

Could not negotiate to have a site license trial of a Virtual Clicker

Trial Kits allow for familiarity with a Clicker System before purchase but does not allow for real class feasibility experimentation

Experimentation Issues: Trial Duration

Vendor Trials Limited in Time

Typically one to three month duration

Limited time for experimentation after learning curve

Only enough time to learn how to use the Clicker System leaving little time for significant feasibility experimentation

Experimentation Recommendation

Collaborate with Professors who Already Use Clickers

Simply visit their classroom and use their Clicker System Requires familiarity with their Clicker System

Students already have Clickers and know how to use them No learning curve for Students taking away instruction time

No cost ideal solution to experimentation issues Real classroom feasibility experimentation

Further Considerations

Experiment with a Personal Response System which is widely used on campus

Which system is used most on campus?

Has your campus adopted a standard system?

If your campus is in the process of adopting a campus standard, try to arrange for a representative from your library system to be on the campus working group/committee

Further Considerations

Libraries have burden to purchase a set of Clicker Devices or a Virtual Clicker Site License

Students often are required to purchase Clicker Devices for Term Classes.

Becomes a sore spot for students if they rarely use Clicker Device they had to buy

Not Feasible to expect students to bring their own Clicker Devices to an Instruction Session

Proposed Experimentation Method Determine the Clicker System used most

often on campus

Request a Trail Kit of that Clicker System and familiarize yourself with it

Collaborate with a Faculty Member that already uses the same Clicker System to experiment with incorporating Clickers in Instruction Sessions