Clickers in the Clickers in the ClassroomClassroom

David Vakil

April 18, 2009

On Course National Conference

Professor Vakil teaches astronomy & physics at El Camino College.

Contact info:dvakil@elcamino.edu – 310-660-3593 x3134

For more clicker information or a copy of this presentation, please visit:http://www.elcamino.edu/faculty/dvakil/clickers.htm

Presentation outlinePresentation outline What are clickers?What are clickers? How can they be used?How can they be used? Why should you use clickers? Why should you use clickers?

What are the benefits?What are the benefits?

Please ASK QUESTIONS during this Please ASK QUESTIONS during this presentation.presentation.

Big Picture: Clickers enable you to do Big Picture: Clickers enable you to do student-centered learning. Let’s start with a student-centered learning. Let’s start with a “student”-centered activity, rather than with “student”-centered activity, rather than with me lecturing. This is what clickers are me lecturing. This is what clickers are about.about.

Respond as though you are Respond as though you are students in YOUR class.students in YOUR class.

By show of hands…By show of hands…Who believes:Who believes:

“Not enough students answer “Not enough students answer questions that I ask during questions that I ask during

class.”class.”

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Blank SlideBlank Slide

Not enough students Not enough students answer questions that I ask answer questions that I ask

during class.during class.

2

4 1.1. TrueTrue

2.2. FalseFalse

See how much the vote participation increases with clickers?

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What are clickers?What are clickers?

Clickers get quick results to multiple choice Clickers get quick results to multiple choice questions.questions.

They send signals using Radio frequency They send signals using Radio frequency (RF) light(RF) light Radio light doesn’t require line-of-sight,Radio light doesn’t require line-of-sight,

unlike household remote controlsunlike household remote controls Receiver is small and portable.Receiver is small and portable.

NOTE: Cheaper Infrared (IR) clickers exist. NOTE: Cheaper Infrared (IR) clickers exist. They are inferior to RF for many reasons, They are inferior to RF for many reasons, and not much cheaper anymore. See next and not much cheaper anymore. See next slide in notes for more info.slide in notes for more info.

TurningPoint TurningPoint clickersclickers Platform uses:Platform uses:

Integrates EASILY with PowerPoint.Integrates EASILY with PowerPoint. Available as stand-alone software.Available as stand-alone software. Model available with no computer Model available with no computer

needed!needed! Macintosh model availableMacintosh model available

TurningPoint’s RF clicker:TurningPoint’s RF clicker: Comes in Braille alsoComes in Braille also Uses 2 coin cell 2032 (3.0V) batteriesUses 2 coin cell 2032 (3.0V) batteries Simple to use for studentSimple to use for student

TurningPoint’s XR clicker:TurningPoint’s XR clicker: Has screen for direct feedback to student; Has screen for direct feedback to student;

allows for clicker-tests and word answers!allows for clicker-tests and word answers! Uses 2 AAA batteries.Uses 2 AAA batteries. More features, slightly more complicated More features, slightly more complicated

for studentfor student

RF model

XR model

Clicker Manufacturers & Clicker Manufacturers & ReviewsReviewsECC standardized with TurningPoint. Standardizing lowers

costs.

Other affordable companies include, in no particular order: • E-instruction• Interwrite• Qwizdom• iClicker = very simple(st?) clicker model, but few features• H-ITT• Brands I’ve only read a little about:

• SMART Technology’s Senteo• Promethean Activote• Others exist. Some are web-based. This slide was written in

2008.

See these two articles for more info about above systems:1. Written in Nov. 2007 by Susan Bush & Susan McLester

http://www.techlearning.com/showArticle.php?articleID=196604803

2. CBE - Life Sciences Education, Vol. 6, 1–20, Spring 2007

Information gathered by Information gathered by clickerclicker

Which clickers responded to the questionWhich clickers responded to the question What answer each clicker gave to each questionWhat answer each clicker gave to each question If multiple answers given, order is saved, useful If multiple answers given, order is saved, useful

for:for: multi-digit numbersmulti-digit numbers Ranking a list (prioritizing)Ranking a list (prioritizing)

Decimals (not all models/manufacturers)Decimals (not all models/manufacturers) Some math symbols/expressions (also not all Some math symbols/expressions (also not all

models)models) How long it took each clicker (student) to answerHow long it took each clicker (student) to answer When question is re-polled, both answers are savedWhen question is re-polled, both answers are saved Turning Point results are easily exported to ExcelTurning Point results are easily exported to Excel

Some examples of Some examples of how clickers can how clickers can

be usedbe usedin classesin classes

PRE-TESTPRE-TEST: A light year is a : A light year is a measure ofmeasure of

4

1 1.1. TimeTime

2.2. DistanceDistance

Timed question!

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Checking current Checking current understanding during classunderstanding during class

A miniature astronomy A miniature astronomy lecture lecture

The universe is The universe is 13.7 billion years old13.7 billion years old.. A light year is A light year is

____________________________, ____________________________, approximately 6 trillion ______________.approximately 6 trillion ______________.

POST-TEST: A light year is POST-TEST: A light year is a measure ofa measure of

6

0

4

1

1.1. TimeTime

2.2. DistanceDistance

As seen here, you can visually compare to questions, or, in this case, pre- and post-lecture answers.

Purple = previous. Blue = current.

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Think-Pair-ShareThink-Pair-Share Ask the questionAsk the question If results are between 50-75% correct, If results are between 50-75% correct,

consult with your neighbor and vote again.consult with your neighbor and vote again. If 40-50% correct, coach them a little first.If 40-50% correct, coach them a little first. If less than 40% correct, they need more help first.If less than 40% correct, they need more help first.

Usually results improve noticeably, often 80+%.Usually results improve noticeably, often 80+%. Students understand and remember concept Students understand and remember concept

betterbetter Takes only 1 minute or less per question askedTakes only 1 minute or less per question asked

I typically give 60 seconds per conceptual question.I typically give 60 seconds per conceptual question. Here’s an example…Here’s an example…

It is possible for astronomers to detect an It is possible for astronomers to detect an object 15 billion light years away from object 15 billion light years away from

Earth.Earth.

Tru

e

Fal

se

5

0

1.1. TrueTrue

2.2. FalseFalse

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What can you do with What can you do with clickers?clickers?

Pre- and post-Pre- and post- instruction questions. (Did they instruction questions. (Did they learn?)learn?)

Taking attendance Taking attendance (automatically calculated if any question is asked)(automatically calculated if any question is asked)

Classroom demographicsClassroom demographics Who are your students?Who are your students? How does performance relate to various characteristics?How does performance relate to various characteristics?

Gathering Gathering feedback about class or getting opinionsfeedback about class or getting opinions like/dislike activitylike/dislike activity useful/uselessuseful/useless

Quick assessment of Quick assessment of recently covered materialrecently covered material Ask about facts or conceptual understanding.Ask about facts or conceptual understanding. No question is too easy to ask studentsNo question is too easy to ask students. You’ll be . You’ll be

amazed.amazed. Build their confidence or shake yours!Build their confidence or shake yours!

Ice-breakersIce-breakers Discussion startersDiscussion starters

Are you:Are you:

1

1

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1.1. MaleMale

2.2. FemaleFemale

Uses, continuedUses, continued Data gatheringData gathering – very useful for accountability – very useful for accountability

reportsreports Cooperative learning: Think-pair-shareCooperative learning: Think-pair-share QuizzesQuizzes

End of class summaryEnd of class summary Beginning of class reviewBeginning of class review Determine if students did reading/homeworkDetermine if students did reading/homework

Full-length testsFull-length tests Ranking choicesRanking choices On-the-fly questions to suit whatever comes to On-the-fly questions to suit whatever comes to

mind during class.mind during class. Some of my best & worst questions were done on the fly.Some of my best & worst questions were done on the fly. When students ask a question, DON’T ANSWER THEM! When students ask a question, DON’T ANSWER THEM!

Click!Click! Fastest responsesFastest responses Team questions/answersTeam questions/answers

What skills are needed to use What skills are needed to use clickers?clickers?

Knowledge of presentation software (e.g. Knowledge of presentation software (e.g. PowerPoint) helpful, but not required.PowerPoint) helpful, but not required.

Anybody with basic knowledge of computersAnybody with basic knowledge of computers TurningPoint and iClicker systems easy for TurningPoint and iClicker systems easy for

novicesnovices TurningPoint is also powerful and versatile for TurningPoint is also powerful and versatile for

advanced usersadvanced users

Ease of using clickers is VERY software-Ease of using clickers is VERY software-dependent. Shop around and dependent. Shop around and try the product try the product before buyingbefore buying!! The salespeople’s demonstration make it look VERY The salespeople’s demonstration make it look VERY

easy.easy. TRY IT YOURSELF!TRY IT YOURSELF!

Why you should use Why you should use clickers…clickers…

Qualitative reasons to use Qualitative reasons to use clickersclickers

InteractiveInteractive Student-centered, minds-onStudent-centered, minds-on Just-in-time teachingJust-in-time teaching Immediate feedback – to you AND your Immediate feedback – to you AND your

studentsstudents Create responsible & informed learners!Create responsible & informed learners!

FUN (competitive?)FUN (competitive?) Gets everyone actively (not passively) Gets everyone actively (not passively)

involvedinvolved (Semi?) anonymous, which (Semi?) anonymous, which helps shy studentshelps shy students!!

Early and frequent assessment. Diagnose Early and frequent assessment. Diagnose and fix bad lectures/activitiesand fix bad lectures/activities Catch poor students quickly, start Catch poor students quickly, start

troubleshooting earlytroubleshooting early

Quantitative reasons to use Quantitative reasons to use clickersclickers

Attendance increases noticeablyAttendance increases noticeably Research at 4-year schools shows attendance at 85%.Research at 4-year schools shows attendance at 85%.

Similar research shows students Similar research shows students read the text moreread the text more, , are are more interested in the coursemore interested in the course, have a , have a more more positive attitudepositive attitude towards the course. towards the course. Clickers help Clickers help students enjoy schoolstudents enjoy school!! When I don’t use clickers during class, I get complaints! When I don’t use clickers during class, I get complaints!

Students like clickers and learn from using them.Students like clickers and learn from using them. FOR MY CLASSES: my school’s research team found:FOR MY CLASSES: my school’s research team found:

Success (# earning C or better) Success (# earning C or better) increased 12%increased 12%.. Retention (# finished) increased 2% (astro) & 25% Retention (# finished) increased 2% (astro) & 25%

(physics).(physics). GPA didn’t change much because GPA didn’t change much because W’s W’s C’s C’s..

Success gains this large are VERY difficult to achieve.Success gains this large are VERY difficult to achieve. Gains partly from technology, Gains partly from technology, mostly from new way of mostly from new way of

teachingteaching

Clicker capabilitiesClicker capabilities

The following slides show some The following slides show some other things you can do with other things you can do with clickers.clickers.

MULTI-ANSWER: Which of the following are MULTI-ANSWER: Which of the following are NOT types of electromagnetic radiation? NOT types of electromagnetic radiation?

Select all that applySelect all that apply..

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 1.1. Gamma raysGamma rays2.2. X-raysX-rays3.3. InfraredInfrared4.4. UltravioletUltraviolet5.5. UltrasoundUltrasound6.6. Sound wavesSound waves7.7. MicrowavesMicrowaves8.8. Radio wavesRadio waves

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Improve in-class Improve in-class demonstrationsdemonstrations

Explain the demo set-upExplain the demo set-up Have students predict the outcomeHave students predict the outcome Do the demonstrationDo the demonstration Specifically ask students “Specifically ask students “Was your Was your

prediction correctprediction correct?”?” Shows students who lack confidence they Shows students who lack confidence they

aren’t alonearen’t alone Recognize intuition can be wrongRecognize intuition can be wrong

I will drop a pen and a I will drop a pen and a crumpledcrumpled piece of paper. Which piece of paper. Which will hit the ground first?will hit the ground first?

0

0

0 1.1. The pen will hit the ground first.The pen will hit the ground first.

2.2. They will hit the ground at the same They will hit the ground at the same time.time.

3.3. The paper will hit the ground first.The paper will hit the ground first.I will now perform the demonstration

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Quizzes & TestsQuizzes & Tests

XR clickers can handle tests & quizzesXR clickers can handle tests & quizzes Requires some student training of the Requires some student training of the

clickers, so I won’t demonstrate that clickers, so I won’t demonstrate that now.now.

Hardware issuesHardware issues Two methods of purchasing: school or student.Two methods of purchasing: school or student. If school buys clickersIf school buys clickers

YOU track, store, and transport clickers.YOU track, store, and transport clickers. I STRONGLY recommend this route; I’ve tried both I STRONGLY recommend this route; I’ve tried both

ways.ways. If students buy the clickerIf students buy the clicker

if they lose or break it, their problem.if they lose or break it, their problem. Spares/class policy for when students forget clickerSpares/class policy for when students forget clicker Can be paperwork hassle for you; keeping track takes Can be paperwork hassle for you; keeping track takes

work.work. Not everybody buys them, not simultaneously Not everybody buys them, not simultaneously

purchasedpurchased Students may not be able to sell back to the bookstoreStudents may not be able to sell back to the bookstore

Batteries dieBatteries die Clickers fail/break – who repairs post-warranty?Clickers fail/break – who repairs post-warranty?

Technology IssuesTechnology Issues EARLY ON: Set up schoolwide standardsEARLY ON: Set up schoolwide standards

Allows for training of faculty & studentsAllows for training of faculty & students Easier on the support staff; only one system to Easier on the support staff; only one system to

learnlearn Lower costsLower costs Else faculty adopt whatever their publisher Else faculty adopt whatever their publisher

promotes.promotes. VariationVariation Students or school could purchase multiple clickers.Students or school could purchase multiple clickers.

Problem: the technology evolves VERY quickly. Problem: the technology evolves VERY quickly. Equipment will become obsolete quickly.Equipment will become obsolete quickly.

How handle tech support post-warranty?How handle tech support post-warranty? How will upgrades be implemented?How will upgrades be implemented?

Getting startedGetting started Clickers – cost $20-50 each, depending on modelClickers – cost $20-50 each, depending on model

These cost $30 each if campus standardizes (more if These cost $30 each if campus standardizes (more if don’t)don’t)

Receiver – needed to get the signals from the Receiver – needed to get the signals from the clickers. Cost varies.clickers. Cost varies.

Software to interpret the signals. (Often free)Software to interpret the signals. (Often free) Train yourself for the softwareTrain yourself for the software

Self-explorationSelf-exploration Company may offer on-site training and/or Company may offer on-site training and/or

demonstrationdemonstration Web-based demonstrationsWeb-based demonstrations Read the manualRead the manual

Start small in your classesStart small in your classes

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

There are a LOT of things you can do There are a LOT of things you can do with clickers in your classwith clickers in your class

Method of student-centered learningMethod of student-centered learning They dramatically increase learningThey dramatically increase learning Particularly well-suited for lecture classesParticularly well-suited for lecture classes Questions? Comments?Questions? Comments? STRONGLY RECOMMEND READING:STRONGLY RECOMMEND READING:

Derek Bruff’s book Derek Bruff’s book Teaching with Classroom Teaching with Classroom Response Systems, Creating Response Systems, Creating ActiveActive Learning Learning Environments.Environments.

A sneak peak of the A sneak peak of the “Advanced” session: How “Advanced” session: How

will YOU use clickers?will YOU use clickers? Ask the unanswered questionsAsk the unanswered questions Write clicker questions related to your Write clicker questions related to your

class(es)class(es) We’ll try your questions and give We’ll try your questions and give

feedbackfeedback