Student Response Systems (“Clickers”) Pilot

Engaging students in large class settings is always an instructional challenge. Student Response Systems, nicknamed “clickers, ” offer low risk ways for all students to participate in class, if used in pedagogically effective and inventive ways. Students use hand-held devices to select answers and then view aggregate results in a pictogram at the front of the room. Instructors can see whether students “get it ” and refine their teaching presentation accordingly, as well as use the questions to initiate small and large group discussion. Students can see, without embarrassment or penalty, how well they understand key concepts, rather than finding out too late from test results. UNB is piloting three different types of clickers during the 2006 fall term in order to test their potential and to select the clicker type best suited to UNB’s needs. This paper outlines some ways in which clickers can be used effectively in class, describes the UNB pilot goals and process, and presents preliminary findings