"Clickers" in The Classroom

[VickyRN]

Einstruction's classroom performance systems (cps) is an efficient way to elicit student responses during class and increase learner participation. CPS "clickers" are small handheld radio frequency response pads that look like a tiny TV remote and are easy to use during a classroom activity, lecture, or Powerpoint presentation.

Advantages include jump-starting class discussions, making large classes more interactive, encouraging student participation, providing instantaneous feedback, saving time grading, and gauging student understanding of course content (especially those difficult-to-understand "trouble spots").

The "clickers" may be used to take attendance or provide instant feedback to polling or questions. Quiz questions may be posted in class through an overhead or powerpoint presentation slide.

The responses from the class are gathered and compiled via a wireless receiver and instantly analyzed. That way, the instructor can adapt lecture content to conform to the immediate feedback. Clickers can also be integrated with online learning systems, such as blackboard or webct.

Examinations can be given using the "clicker" system, with instant feedback for instructors. This makes grading a cinch. Troublesome scantrons are no longer needed. Test items need to be either multiple choice or true-false. "clickers" do not readily accommodate the "select-all-that-apply" format questions.

CPS permits students to:

• Respond anonymously to in-class questions
• Participate in every class response
• Evaluate their understanding immediately
• Identify difficult course content
• Actively participate during class

CPS permits educators to:

• Evaluate student understanding before teaching a concept
• Evaluate student understanding instantly after teaching a content
• Adapt lecture content based on identifiable needs

Einstruction offers online training for the CPS system, including a video series and instructor-led, online seminars. Phone support is available Monday-Friday until 5pm at 888-333-4988. More information is available at Einstruction's customer support site.

The clickers cost approximately $22 each and can be used for multiple classes during multiple semesters. The clickers are purchased at participating university or college bookstores. Each semester, the student will be charged a one time fee of $13.00 by Einstruction. Paying this fee enables the student to use the clicker for all classes during that semester. If the student uses the clicker over multiple semesters, the per semester registration fee will cap out after three semesters or $39.00. Each subsequent semester is then free.

[shiccy]

We had them in our "HESI" class (it's one of those stupid NCLEX prep classes, but was mandatory to be taken). This was *the* only class that used the clickers, as they were new to the school at this time.

We had to pay a larger amount of money (50 - 70$ if I remember correctly), and on the first day they were synced to the computers.

I do have to say that they were awesome for what they did - We could see how many people voted for what answer, and which was the correct one - but they also were a bit controversial ... this class was suppose to teach us HOW to answer these questions, NOT grade us for what skills in critical thinking we already possessed! If you didn't guess it, the questions that you got incorrect were figured into your final class score. While I don't think we had to have our scores curved at all, it still felt a little unfair.

The other HUGE disadvantage to them was some people would just keep their friends clickers in their bags ... there were a few that had jobs that would get out VERY close to class, and were very frequently late. Since the teacher didn't record who had each clicker id in a simple format (ie- one that they could easily look up to make sure their clicker wasn't used for the quiz they walked in after), these people often got better grades than I did -- they always gave their clicker to their smartest friend!

In all, great idea. Good way for you to see how the class is doing as a whole, and to try to get the class where they needed to be ... rather than just keep going on and having the students look at you like you're a moron. .... They just need to be used in an intelligent fashion!

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

The other HUGE disadvantage to them was some people would just keep their friends clickers in their bags ... there were a few that had jobs that would get out VERY close to class, and were very frequently late. Since the teacher didn't record who had each clicker id in a simple format (ie- one that they could easily look up to make sure their clicker wasn't used for the quiz they walked in after), these people often got better grades than I did -- they always gave their clicker to their smartest friend!

Thanks for sharing. I've heard of this problem before. It is definitely a form of cheating. A colleague of mine actually caught a student in the act of "using" another student's clicker. That student was lucky he/she was not kicked out of the program. Sometimes it's difficult to spot this activity in a very large classroom.

[dezertrose]

clickers can be very helpful!

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

We had one instructor who used clickers regularly. We did not have to pay for them and we picked one up randomly at the start of class. We were not graded based on our iclick respopnses. She would usually present 2-3 iClicker questions during lecture. For group presentations we were also asked to make up our own clicker questions based on the material we were presenting.

I liked being able to practice exam-style questions and hearing the rationales. The only issue was that sometimes there were technical problems: your iclicker didnt' work, or she would accidentally erase all our responses, or skip ahead to the answer screen before we could record our answers.

[Sarah W]

It is so interesting to hear the varying opinions on Clickers in the classroom, both from a teacher's standpoint and from a student's standpoint. I am currently in an MSN program studying to become an educator. We have recently discussed the use of clikers but no one has had much personal experience with them. Thanks for the input.

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Glad this information was helpful to you, Sarah. And, welcome to allnurses! :welcome:

[Rosemary Lovallo]

We use Iclickers in our program and they are great. When electing our NSNA officers we were able to see the results in seconds. Some of our teachers add questions into their lecture that we answer with the Iclickers, which is helpful as well, because I write those questions down and review before they test again (foods to be avoided or s/s of preclampsia etc). We started to use them for attendance, but for some reason or another they went back to the paper sign in.

[RNErica]

Thank you for the informative post on iClickers. This definately is a useful item to assess the understanding of content and encourage participation without having student trailing off the subject!

[vdoming931]

Hello,

We could not afford clickers in my program so I improvised. On the first day of class, I gave each student five 3x5 index cards: blue, pink, green, yellow, and purple. Each student also received five craft sticks. I provided glue sticks as well as markers, crayons, and colored pencils. I had each student label the cards as follows: blue-A, pink-B, green-C, yellow-D, and purple-?. The students then glued the craft stick to the back of each card. The result is a "sign" which the student can use like a clicker. I then gave the students about 15 minutes to decorate their cards so that the cards became more personal.

During my lectures, I have inserted multiple choice questions. The students offer their answers by holding up the card corresponding to the answer. The purple card is used if the student has a question during the lecture. The ? card is held up so I recognize the student.

Allowing the students to personalize their cards was a great icebreaker and allowed the students to demonstrate their creativity. It is really neat to see the students prepare for the start of each class. Each student has their textbook, handouts, notepaper, a pen or pencil and their "clickers".

Vicki

[TessaW]

We had iclickers the first semester, took quizzes. The idea was pretty new so the quizzes were basic, do you understand this info type questions. Second semester, we had one teacher try them once....disaster. 30 mins of "why is this not working"

Third and Forth semester didn't even mention the little thingys. $50 down the drain! Sold it directly to a struggling student for $10. At least he didn't have to pay the mark up on a useless teaching aide. It won't work if you don't use it, just like the treadmill in your bedroom.

[DianePhD]

HI,

I used to use iClickers too, but have found it much easier to just use cell phones. You can go to www.polleverywhere.com and set up your questions and inbed them in powerpoint and then the students just use their cell phones to answer. Much easier and free. It's worth checking out.

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Great ideas, vdoming931 and DianePhD! Thanks for sharing :) I had no idea that cell phones could be used in such a manner. I will definitely check out this website.