Getting Started with Clickers

Photo courtesy of UC Davis

What percentage of the content covered in a large introductory course does the average student retain after 1 year? A. 0-10% B. 10-20% C. 30-40% D. 40-80% E. 90-100%

Why Clickers? Full Participation Anonymity Immediate Feedback to Instructors Immediate Feedback to Students Increased Interest & Engagement Facilitate Discussion & Peer Teaching

Equipment Instructor kit student clickers or web>clicker...

Buying & Registering buy at bookstore / online online registration students use GU netID clicker ID = student ID

Process Ask Q Ask Q Discuss Vote Discuss Vote View Results Results

Writing Clicker Qs Think about goals Both simple & complex assess prior knowledge elicit misconception exercise cognitive skill stimulate discussion review a topic Both simple & complex Include distractors

The normal range for blood pressure is… C. 140/89 D. 150/90 E. 160/100 Photo: drweilblog.com

If you roll a die twice, what is the probability of getting a double? Photo: edupic.net

Peer Instruction Ask Q View & Discuss Vote View Vote Results (again) (split) Results Vote (again) Peer Discussion

Question Placement & Frequency Upfront As You Go Asking but not answering Follow up Sets ...but, how often?

Question Scoring Participation Correct answer No points

Keys to Success Have clear goals and plan how clickers will contribute to those goals Use effective clicker questions Explain to students why clickers will be used and provide clear instructions to them Make clicker responses part of overall grade Practice before using with students Communicate cheating policy

Problems to Avoid Do not use clickers only for attendance Do not use overly complex or simple Qs Do not overuse clickers

Questions?