Helpful Links

Derek Bruff's blog: Teaching with Classroom Response Systems

This site features a wealth of information about using response devices in the classroom. There are a number of topics covered, and material is provided not only by Derek Bruff but a number of other instructors using clickers in a variety of fields.

Click here an outline of Derek's book, Teaching w/ Classroom Response Systems

Teaching with Student Response Systems

Facilitate Class Discussion - Poll students and discuss reasons for their opinions.

Guide Lectures - Poll students and collect immediate feedback about students' understanding of the topics of your lecture.

Encourage Peer Instruction - Allow students to share their opinions through discussions and see if they come to the same conclusions about the lecture topics.

Collect Data - Collect data on course content or learning preferences. Use this to alter your future courses.

Offer Quizzes and Exams - Save time by using student response systems for quizzes and exams without having to manually grade them. Make sure not to overdue this as you will always want to include some subjective quizzing and testing.

Make Your Classes More Interactive - Use student response systems to engage students in the class. Make your class an active learning experience.

Use for shy students - Engage normally shy students and encourage them to participate them in class discussions.

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Helpful Links and Information
 

Determine if Clickers Are Right for Your Teaching Style

Clicker Check List
  • Is your main reason for using clickers to enhance interactive teaching and learning?
  • Are you willing to have an active classroom environment?
  • Are you willing to shift discussion based on the students’ responses to questions?
  • Are you prepared to devote more class time than usual to questions using the clickers?

Courses that Benefit from Clickers

  • Large lecture, sequence classes
  • Team based courses and activities

Before Class: Prepare!!!

  • Develop sound questions ahead of time that are relevant to the topic being presented.
  • Take time to practice with the equipment you will use in class.

At Beginning of Quarter

  • Explain that the benefits and purpose of using the clickers, and inform students of your expectations.
  • Advise students on care of clickers.
  • Have a clear policy in your syllabus on what you consider cheating with clickers and identify the consequences.

Questioning Techniques and Tips

  • Use a “Testing-the-System” question.
  • Student Survey Top Three Questions Types: Opinion, Reading Review Questions, and Mid-lecture questions.
  • Incorporate peer instruction activities using the clickers.
  • Base some of your clicker questions on the out of class activities.
  • Incorporate 2-3 clicker questions in each class period.
  • Keep the level of difficulty at an intermediate level.
  • If using the timer on the slide, consider giving students 30 seconds or more to process and respond.

If Using Clicker Responses for Grades

  • Use the clickers for a minimal part of the course grade.
  • Do not grade responses during the first week of class.
  • Provide timely feedback to students regarding their grades.