Clickers in the Classroom

Services for the Future RetreatMay 15, 2009

Q: How many of the 10 most edited wikipedia entries last week were related

to swine flu?

A.NineB.SixC.FourD.Two

Q: Have you used clickers before?

A.YesB.NoC.Not sure

Q: The clicker system requires…

A.Clickers & ReceiverB.Clickers, Receiver,

& softwareC.Clickers, Receiver,

software & laptop

Today’s Goals• Learn the basic

mechanics of creating an interactive session using the PRS Interwrite system

• Gain ideas and techniques for implementing this technology in the classroom

Clickers: The Who & When• Anyone!• Clickers can be used

during:–Library instruction

sessions–Outreach sessions–Conferences–Training–Meetings

Clickers: The Where

• Receivers installed in all University Park classrooms– Installed in 211A & 315 Pattee,

302 Paterno, Foster Auditorium• Used at PS Altoona, Erie,

Dubois• Possibly at Great Valley,

Mont Alto, Brandywine• System travels well-take

clickers on a road trip!

Clickers: The What • Icebreakers & games• Pre & Post Assessment• Group collaboration• Choose your own

adventure• Demographics• Audience

temperature/context

Clickers: The Why• Promote participation &

interaction

• Help maintain attention

• Assessment & adaption

• Utilizes active learning

• Instructor gets packaged results

Clickers: The How3 Basic components

1. Clickers2. Interwrite radio freq.

receiver3. Software (Interwrite +

Powerpoint)

Nuts & Bolts

Basic steps for getting started

1.Download the PRS Software to your computer (from PSU’s clicker homepage)

2.Create your Ppt presentation including questions w/ answers

3.Activate your question slides using the PRS “add in” feature

In more detail…1. Download software and

register it

2. You should then see an extra tab called “Add-Ins” appear in your Ppt menu

3. When you see this tab you are ready to go!

A few last technical details…

• Start your presentation & you will be prompted to start a new clicker session

• Turn on the clickers—they will begin to join your session

• A dress rehearsal is recommended!

Q: Making sense so far?A. I totally got it!B. It’s becoming clearer…C. I’m totally lost!

Techniques and Examples

Ice Breaker

Nothing at

all

They ar

e all s

uperh

er...

They lo

ok good i

n black

They ar

e librar

ians

None o

f the a

bove

21%

0%

14%

64%

0%

What do Laura Bush, Bat Girl, and Ben Franklin have in common?

Q: The PRS Interwrite system is being used at

PS ErieA.TrueB.False

Post Test exampleTo find out if PSU has the film “Germany, Pale Mother”, you would search:

17%71%13%

Film Literature Index The CAT Encyclopedia of German

Cinema

Working with a partner, determine the following sum:Number of PSU campus Libraries +Number of UP subject libraries -The room number of Foster AuditoriumA.- 63B.- 64C. 34D. 43

Q: Choose Your Own Adventure

You need to write a research paper using 5 books, 5 peer-reviewed journal articles, and 5 newspaper articles. Which type of resource would you like to learn how to find today?A. BooksB. Peer-reviewed journalsC. Newspaper articles

What percentage of freshman do you think are “adequately prepared” for

college-level research?1. 0 - 20% 2. 21 - 40%3. 41- 60%4. 61- 80%5. 81-100%

Final Best Practices• Keep questions short• Provide <5 choices• Use at periodic intervals, in bursts• Allow time for discussion in

between• Dress rehersal!

Thank you!Questions? Contact me!

Resources: See SFTF Retreat Wiki