Using Clickers in the Classroom An Evidence Based Approach

Autar Kawkaw@usf.edu

ATLE WorkshopThursday, February 27, 2014

Have you used clickers in the classroom?

A. YesB. No

Yes No

0%0%

Student’s Prior Knowledge Can Help

or Hinder Learning

We are in winter season becauseA. the earth is

farther from the sun in the winter than in the summer

B. of the tilt of the earth about its’ axis

C. the earth is not a perfect sphere

the earth is

farther fr

om ...

of the tilt o

f the earth

a...

the earth is

not a perfe

ct...

0% 0%0%

Why do we have seasons?

What are the goals of using clickers?

• Measure prior knowledge.• Engage students in active

learning.• Promote peer-to-peer

interaction.• Provide their own

understanding.

What are the goals of using clickers (cont’d)?

• Provide a voice to students.• Model the process of critical

thinking.• Sends a message that

instructor is vested in student learning.

What type of questions should I ask?

• Stage 1: If you are new to clickers yourself, ask simple questions in the beginning.• Stage 2: Ask challenging

conceptual questions.• Stage 3: Structure the clicker

questions around the lecture.

What kind of questions are of LOW impact?

• quiz on an assigned reading, • recall of lecture, • next calculation, • surveys.

What kind of questions are of HIGH impact?

• prior knowledge, • conceptual understanding, • new context, • draw knowledge, and• relate different

representations.

What approach works best in class?

• Step 1: Pose a question.• Step 2: Time to think, have a

timer, and answer individually.• Step 3: Vote and show the

results.• Step 4: Whole class discussion.

How do I find clicker questions to ask?

• Use the questions that you pose.• Overhear the student

discussions.• Use the questions that students

ask.• Ask questions that make

students apply what they have learned to a different context.

How do I deal with the unexpected?

• What if the clicker question becomes “big fail”?• What if you do not know the

answer?• What if too many questions are

being asked?

What are some of the commonly questions asked about clickers?

• How much time should I give for clickers?• How should clicker questions be

graded?• How much time should I spend

in a lecture using clickers?

What are some of the commonly questions asked about clickers?(cont’d)

• How do you get students talking to each other?• Do the “strong” students

answer “weak” students questions?• Should I post answers after the

class?

A short review video on using clickers

Did you like this workshop on clickers?

A. YesB. NoC. I will keep my

opinion to myself

33% 33%33%

QUESTIONS?

Using Clickers in the Classroom An Evidence Based Approach

References

Best practices of using clickers: http://www.colorado.edu/sei/documents/clickeruse_guide0108.pdf

A playlist on use of clickers: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1D084014175F46A1

Videos, case studies and webinars on clickers:http://www.turningtechnologies.com/best-practices-higher-education/resources