Documentation:Clickers

From UBC Wiki
Information for Students
Information for Instructors
My picture old school.png This page is part of the Teaching and Learning Resources Portal.

What is it?

Clickers (or Student Response Systems) are wireless handheld devices that allow students to respond to classroom polls and quizzes, regardless of class size and common student dynamics. These remote-like gadgets transmit individual student responses to an instructor's computer to record and even share these results directly back to the class. Instructors can use this data to customize their lessons for each learning group.

Clickers.png

Uses and Benefits

Clicker class.jpg

Studies conducted on the usage of clickers demonstrate an improved learning environment for students. Effective use of clickers leads to greater class interactivity, increased student-teacher interaction, and consequently improved conceptual understanding of material for the learners.

Instructors can use clickers as a tool to gauge students' understanding and/or as a low-stakes quiz delivery system.

Clickers also allow instructors to:

  • Increase class participation and improve attendance
  • Spark debate and discussion in class
  • Identify students who need additional assistance
  • Instantly gauge student comprehension of a particular topic or question
  • Take attendance
  • Encourage class discussion among all students
  • Instantly grade and record student results
  • Give continuous feedback to provide students an active learning process
  • Generate student assessment reports
  • Easily deliver quizzes and assessments electronically
  • Focus more time on teaching and less time on paperwork and grading

Resources

Effective Use

For the clicker to be used effectively, it is important to take into consideration the structure and format of the question being asked, how often you use the technology and the context in which questions are asked. The use of the clickers for the sake of using new technology does not necessarily improve learning. The following websites provide excellent suggestions on how to best incorporate clickers into your teaching practice:

UBC Faculty Support Pages

Individual Faculty Support:

CWSEI Logo.jpg Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative (CWSEI): http://www.cwsei.ubc.ca/resources/clickers.htm
UBC Logo small.png Applied Science (CIS): http://cis.apsc.ubc.ca/additional-tools/iclickers/
Arts ISIT Logo.jpg Arts (ISIT): http://isit.arts.ubc.ca/crs/
Sauder Logo Small.png Sauder (Learning Services): http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/Resources/Learning_Services/Knowledge_Base/iClickers
UBC Logo small.png UBC Okanagan - Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL): http://ctl.ok.ubc.ca/teaching-development/learning-technologies/interaction-tools/clickers/

FAQ

Instructors can visit our Instructor Information page or the instructor FAQ for more information

Students can visit our Student Information page page for common clicker issues and more information.

Contact Us

Feel free to contact us at clicker.support@ubc.ca if you have any questions regarding iClickers. We will be very happy to help you.

Script error: The function "navbox" does not exist.