University of Wisconsin-Madison went through a similar standardization a
couple summers ago, and because eInstruction doesn't work so well with
Mac, we chose iClicker. It's a decision that I'm really happy with
(iClicker is sooooooo easy), but I'm not sure that the whole campus is
happy. I'm hoping that iClicker 2 adds enough functionality to appease
those looking for a more flexible system.
Cindee Giffen
On 2/22/2011 2:37 PM, Mitch Cruzan wrote:
Last year we tried to standardize to one clicker on campus for the
reasons you mention. We ultimately chose the eInstruction CPS-Pulse
product as it was the most flexible and did not require students to
pay a registration fee each term. The key things we were looking for
were:
1. Flexibility of question type (multiple choice to 10 options,
decimal numbers, and alpha input).
2. The ability to conduct 'self-paced' exams. The clicker
effectively replaces scantrons as students use a paper copy of the
exam and enter answers on the clicker. They can scroll through the
questions and answer in any order, see their last input for each
question, and change their answers as many times as they want.
3. Flexibility of OS.
This last item is where we had the most difficulty as the eInstruction
software does not run well on Macs. Neither the iClicker or Turning
Tech has the ability to do self-paced exams, and iClickers only allow
multiple choice with five options. I think we may end up being a dual
clicker campus with eInstruction for PC users and iClickers for the
Mac people.
If you have existing PowerPoints you use for lectures it is fairly
easy to integrate clicker questions. I suggest developing questions
that challenge students to think about the material - apply concepts
to new situations, combine previously covered concepts, or use
questions as a bridge to the next topic. I also suggest you use
questions as discussion pauses - let them discuss with peers during
class and discuss as a whole class after.
Advantages are:
1. They will come to lecture - I get 90% attendance.
2. The question pauses break up the monotony - it keeps them engaged.
3. They think about and discuss the material with each other during
class, so they actually learn more.
4. Based on anonymous surveys they really like the clickers because
it helps them learn the material. Student evaluations have gone up
since I stated using these things a few years back.
On 2/22/2011 10:39 AM, Cary Chevalier wrote:
I use "clickers" all the time.
Turning Point is good, so is Einstruction (CPS). I happen to use the
E-instruction product, but either is well reviewed. There are also
probably other providers that are just a good. If your institution
is thinking about using "clickers" have the providers send reps to
your institution to give demos.
the one thing you DON"T want to do is have a bunch of different
clickers on campus, as it is unfair to students. Research the diff.
products, then settle on an institution adoption of your choice.
good luck!
Cary
Cary D. Chevalier, Ph.D.
Department of Biology
Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Dr.
St. Joseph, MO 64507
Ph: 816.271.4252
Fax: 816.271.4252
Email: [email protected]
"J. Michael Nolan"<[email protected]> 2/22/2011 9:48
AM>>>
List Members.....
I know nothing about "clickers". Every year I do give the people at
Stanford U. a plug, and Rick Reis, Ph.D. for running a free
newsletter called Tomorrow's Professor. There are a gazillion lists
and newsletters out there, and sometimes it is more than
overwhelming. This is one newsletter I would subscribe to.
Recently, there was an article, not only on types of "clickers", but
also how to use them. They are so valuable, I do keep them on
file.....quicker if you do a search, as all of their posts are
archived: http://cgi.stanford.edu/~dept-ctl/tomprof/postings.php
I am not teaching new teachers, but if I was.....it would be one of
the first resources I might have people subscribe to?, will maybe
right after the AP-Env Sci list!
Thanks and have a great day. If you don't live where there is snow, I
will be pleased send some of another foot we got on the eastern
shores of Lake Michigan yesterday and last night! Well, after I get
our front door open.
Sorry for my cross-posting.
Thank you.
Mike Nolan
Interesting that you bring these brands up, Jonathan...my district
just put Promethean boards into all of the classrooms and we are
expecting to get their clickers next year, but I was able to get a
set of Turning Point (ActiveInspire) clickers as they were being
cleaned "away" and I am learning how to use them. They are very
intuitive- mainly I am learning how to incorporate questions into my
existing Power Points. There is a plug-in needed to make it work but
once I figured that out, the rest is straightforward. It's a little
time consuming to write questions but I think that will be true with
any of them. I don't want to create separate lessons really- I just
want to be able to ask questions as we go through material and have
truly interactive lectures for which I can take a grade or just see
how well students are understanding as we move along. So for me,
being able to incorporate questions into my lecture material directly
is very important.
I'd love to hear what others are saying because I am not sure what to
expect with the "new" clickers so I may end up sticking with what I
just received. Hopefully anyone with info will "reply all."
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