There are alot of new and innovative ways to engage students with technology these days. One of the latest tools is a crs or classroom response system. Turning point and clickr are just two of the many companies that are in the business of selling units for the classroom. These units are still quite expensive (in my opinion) but are rather cool. Here's how they work. Here's a site that explains what it is and what it can do: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/cft/resources/teaching_resources/technology/crs.htm#what
If you didn't click on the link above but want a short version here it is: A crs is a combination of hardware and software that provides planned interactive classroom experiences. Students need to have an individual piece, usually referred to as a "clicker" that has multiple buttons on it for multiple choice type questions or survey options. Then there needs to be a main unit that is the receiver system which needs to physically be in the classroom. Using the special software, teachers create questions that then dropped into a powerpoint format for the class period. Then during class, when such a slide comes up the students can then make their own individual choice on their individual clicker. The overall results are tabulated and appear on the screen instantly. Kinda cool huh?
It's a good way to check and see if students are really getting the material you are presenting. It can also be used as a review game or as a survey. However there are some downsides to the crs. Besides the cost factor of the units, there's the fact that the clickers need and go through batteries. So then the discussion becomes who's responsible for the clickers? Do students buy their own? Does the individual instructor or the particular department purchase them? Or does the school buy some and instructors reserve them on a need to basis? If individual instructors are in charge of buying their own, how is the technology supported? Does the IT department need to learn a whole bunch of programs? Or if it is up to the students to purchase them, will one clicker work for different systems? If not, how can we prevent students from being required to buy different clickers for different teachers? There are alot of questions that still need to be discussed and recommendations made. Unfortunately, I applied for a grant to help fascilatate such discussions, but it didn't go through.
Another option that's out there now is software programs that do similar tabulations but a student uses their cell phone. When Michael and I tried one such site, my cell phone didn't register. Apparently some other students had similar issues at the student success day where they were trying the program out. Here's an article that talks about how they are being used:
The entire article may be viewed at http://www.magnapubs.com/issues/magnapubs_tp/22_10/news/602056-1.html
And here's the website of the company mentioned in that article: http://www.polleverywhere.com/
Don't know what's going to happen on our campus as far as recommendations, but I'm excited to think about the possibilities these technologies provide.
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4 comments:
I'll admit that I only browsed the article you linked, but I have a couple of questions:
Is the privacy of the student protected? When you say the "The overall results are tabulated and appear on the screen instantly.", does that mean an overhead screen viewable to all the students, or do you mean a computer screen viewed only by the instructor? I can't really tell from the video either.
Do they store any sort of memory? Is there a chance that answers (if used for testing, review, etc.) could be passed from one student to another with the passing of the clicker?
As I understand it, the software polls all the answers together in a diagram format that is anonymous. Typically it is used in a room equipped with a computer and projection screen so that the diagram is visable to all the students.
As for storing memory, that is a good question. The clickers do not store answers. But as for the data going back to the receiver (computer) it may have the capability of being stored there for the instructor. I don't know the answer for sure.
We are just starting to explore CRS options. So I'm new to this too. I don't think it would be used to "testing" per se but more for review quizzing or spot checking to see how the class is comprehending the material at hand. Since it is relatively new there's still quite a few questions we need answered--including some of the ones you've noted.
I mentioned to Paul that you had posted on CRS, so he walked me through it a bit as well. Granted, what he knows is limited and probably outdated (the last info he got about this type of system was close to 2 years ago).
Are they using this type of thing anywhere within a reasonable distance where you could go and see it in action?
Wasn't exactly sure it was you had posted, but now I can be a little more specific ;) There is one faculty currently using one system. Darring has some companies coming on our campus to do some demonstrations in order to help learn more about what each system offers. I was really hoping the grant I applied for would go through so that I could help out (interview faculty on what their needs are, what systems their textbooks might have resources for, budgetary issues, etc). But I think we as a campus will still be making baby steps in that direction, just perhaps a bit slower now than if we would have had that incentive. Bummer!
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