has anyone used a "clicker" device for tests?

[BacktotheBeach]

My school is now requiring us to buy these clicker type devices for fall. I understand their uses for feedback in class etc., but we have to take our exams on these things. We formerly used scantron. We were told that you cannot go back to a question once you have answered it.

I would love to hear from you if your school uses these, how does it work out? Any issues? Do you like it? Do you use it for exams or just in class responses?

Thanks!

[i<3u]

I used them a few times in my General Psychology class. It was mainly used for group participation (there were over 60 students in the course).

[penny cates]

I used a clicker in a Microbiology class of 100 students. We used them for attendance, quizzes, and class exercises. I myself do not like them. I always mark the questions that I feel doubt about and at the end of the exam go back to them. The main reason I would preferr not to use them however, is because on a question that might require a little thought I hear the words 1 minute remaining. This automatically sends me into a panic mode. I can't restrain from pushing the button. Then you realize, you were right to start with and you go to push it again and time is out! If you were reading it and not being rushed through it, you probably never would have changed it to start with. Your right snow

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

I used a clicker in a Microbiology class of 100 students. We used them for attendance, quizzes, and class exercises. I myself do not like them. I always mark the questions that I feel doubt about and at the end of the exam go back to them. The main reason I would preferr not to use them however, is because on a question that might require a little thought I hear the words 1 minute remaining. This automatically sends me into a panic mode. I can't restrain from pushing the button. Then you realize, you were right to start with and you go to push it again and time is out! If you were reading it and not being rushed through it, you probably never would have changed it to start with. Your right snow

But then there is that little detail of how does it benefit the student?

Different people take exams differnet ways. I have a friend that can zip through an exam, look at each question once, and she is done.

I mark up my exams extensively, make side notes that fly through my mind during the test that I don't want to forget, etc. I may even make a small chart, etc.

That is how I perform best.

The whole world cannot revolve around the NCLEX...if you LEARN to take tests well and think them through, then the change of the format on the NCLEX will not be intimidating.

The biggest piece of advice that was given to me right before graduation by an instructor is when you take the NCLEX, just keep in mind, "This is just another test..the worst thing that will happen is that you just take it again."

It was very helpful when the time came.

[ziggysgal,RN]

*snip* In my class we did have alot of issues with the clickers functioning properly however, I do feel alot of exams if not all will end up this way. There is no grading, it saves paper, money, time and prevents cheating. Maybe you won't crack as easy, just remember to try and be sure you want to change it :)

Not entirely true. We also had the issues with clickers not working occasionally... we used them for participation questions during lecture, but not exams. The thing I didn't care for, however, was how EASY it was for someone to 'cheat' (essentially)... Quite a few people were guilty of eyeballing what their neighbor chose. One girl even got every answer incorrect one day because her neighbor was 'on to her' and would initially choose wrong and then change her answer without making it obvious.

Since these were just participation exercises, there was no penalty for cheating... but it did make me aware of how easy it is to 'cheat' with the clicker.

[penny cates]

I guess it would be easier to look at a clicker, because you hold it up. Yes different strokes for different folks :) It pressures me and some things I do better under pressure. I don't know if the time limit or what. That is funny about the girl changing her answers. People who cheat or steal are going to adapt and change for all situations!!!! I actually liked them better for in class stuff. I am one who can go through the whole stack of flash cards right before a test and get nervous and stall. Testing is always murder for me. I do alot of writing on exams too, that is why the clicker haunts me. After getting use to it by the end of the semester it was a little better. Last semester it was the clicker this semester Ebooks. Does any one know if you can put them on the nooks? They stay charged a lot longer.

[CrazierThanYou]

I just found out today that we will be using them for graded quizzes every week. We don't have to buy them, though, thank God!

[rnwannabe77]

Have not heard of a "clicker device". I was a little weary when you said that once you answer you can't go back and change it. I am famous for doing that. Usually when I do change the answer though, I change it from the right one to the wrong one. Consequently, I'm thinking that this "clicker device" could actually work to my advantage and save me a lot of lost points due to constantly second guessing myself.

[JenniferSews]

I think of myself as a good student, and passed NCLEX on my first try with the minimum questions less than 2 weeks after I graduated.

But it took me 2 years of school to really master NCLEX style questions. It's not primarily knowledge, it's also knowing how to prioritize and think in NCLEX format. If you required me to be 100% sure on every question the very first time through from the beginning of school, I never would have made it. I don't know that many of us would have, even the students at the top of our class admitted to going back to questions. I am another one that at first froze into a solid lump when I heard "1 minute remaining!" I had to get over that to pass, but it took some time.

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

Well, the announcement was made 2 weeks ago....we all need to purchase a "clicker". I'm not sure at this point exactly how they are planning on using them, but we had to have them by October 17.

[CrazierThanYou]

We were told at the beginning of the semester that we were going to have "clicker quizzes". Here we are at the halfway point and all our quizzes have been on paper...

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

We were told at the beginning of the semester that we were going to have "clicker quizzes". Here we are at the halfway point and all our quizzes have been on paper...

That's what I'm afraid of....spend a chunck of cash for a new toy and never use it.

[CrazierThanYou]

Yep, I know what you mean. We have had a ton of "required" textbooks that have never been cracked open.