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Support for Clickers in the Classroom Grows
‘i>clicker’ technology gets the nod after TSS invites campus instructors to test drive three shortlisted clicker products
More and more students may be adding a small piece of technology to their backpack in coming semesters because of a recent decision on campus. The i>clicker, a palm-sized gadget about the size of a TV remote, is one of three tools assessed last semester as part of an initiative spearheaded by Teaching Support Services (TSS). In sessions hosted by TSS, interested instructors had a chance to “test drive” three shortlisted clicker products and have their questions and concerns addressed by the vendors directly.
Based on the feedback received through follow-up surveys and discussions with these faculty, thei>clicker was determined to be the product best-suited to Guelph’s needs, says Aldo Caputo, TSS manager of learning technology and courseware innovation.
Formally called audience in-class response systems, clickers are used in a number of ways: to poll student opinions; as a form of peer teaching (students discuss questions among themselves before inputting individual clicker responses); to determine whether key concepts are being understood and adjust the lecture accordingly; and, in some cases, as an in-class grading tool with marks incorporated into students’ WebCT gradebooks.
From the handful of courses currently using i>clickers this semester, the number is expected to ramp up significantly next fall, says Caputo. TSS will help faculty use the devices, providing support and integrating them with WebCT to make registration and record-keeping easier, he says.
The U of G Bookstore will sell the clickers and is also initiating a buyback program where students can buy and sell used clickers.
This semester is seen as a transition period, says Caputo. He notes that some courses had already ordered clickers from other vendors before the decision was made to support the i>clicker technology. These courses will probably make the transition to the new clickers in the fall, he says, but some instructors may prefer to stick with a clicker they’ve already used or one that comes bundled with a course textbook.
Mats Selen, a two-time U of G physics graduate who now teaches at the University of Illinois, is one of the two developers of the i>clicker, says Caputo. “Their goal to design a device specifically for use in a higher-education setting, combined with years of prototyping and in- class trials, has resulted in a clicker that is simple to use and reliable.”
For anyone interested in learning more about i>clickers, TSS is hosting an information session March 8. At the session, instructors who’ve been using i>clickers will discuss their experiences, and technical support staff will be on hand to answer questions. To register for the session, visit the TSS website at www.tss.uoguelph.ca. To find out how i>clickers can be used in the classroom, call Caputo at Ext. 52936.