Clickers

http://dmc.umn.edu/technologies/srs.shtml

Student response systems are much more than multiple choice/true-false quizzing or attendance-taking tools. By combining text, graphics, animations and even audio components, they can foster multi-dimensional learning (teaching to different learning styles), collaborative learning, problem-based learning, and the development of critical thinking skills. (Gerald Bergtrom, 2006)

This program was a result from the 2006 grant requests from psychology, sociology, political science, and speech-language-hearing sciences. In fall 2006, 928 students enrolled in the following courses checked out a student response card: Pol 1001, Psy 3711, SLSH 1302, Soc 1001, Soc 3101, Soc 3501, Soc 3701, and Soc 4161. In spring 2007, 432 students from Pol 1001, Soc 1001, and Soc 3501 checked out a response card. The Department of Speech-Languages-Hearing Sciences manages 120 clickers that are used primarily in Professor Peggy Nelson’s courses. Turning Point is the name of this system.

In Spring 2007, CLA-OIT Academic Technologies purchased 200 student clickers and 4 instructor receivers of a second system called iClicker. Professor Joel Samaha in sociology piloted this system in his Spring 2007 courses. This system has limited functionality compared to Turning Point but the design is so intuitive it can be easily learned and implemented. The CLA Language Center manages 60 clickers and 2 instructor receivers for use in language and culture courses.