To click or not to click? Managing Classroom Response System in a large class
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VICTOR TAN DEPT OF MATHEMATICS To click or not to click? Managing Classroom Response System in a large class Managing CRS in a Large Class BuzzEd 2011
description
By Victor Tan. Department of Mathematics, NUS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLjUralh7ZA&p=83FA1CD871F4A4E5 There are many clear advantages of using Classroom Response System (CRS) in class. When it is used effectively, CRS will promote active learning, and students will be more engaged during the lecture. However, it takes huge courage for a lecturer or module coordinator to take the first step to implement CRS in their classroom teaching. Other than having to manage the system while delivering the lecture at the same time, there are many logistical issues involved, such as the issuing and collecting the clickers. In this talk, I will share with the audience my experience of using and managing CRS in a math module of more than 400 students.
Transcript of To click or not to click? Managing Classroom Response System in a large class
VICTOR TAN
DEPT OF MATHEMATICS
To click or not to click?
Managing Classroom Response System
in a large class
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
Classroom Response System 101
(abbr) CRSSystem consists:CRS software ~ on Lecturer’s PCRadio Frequency (or Infrared) receiver ~ connected to Lecturer’s PCResponse units (a.k.a. keypads or clickers) ~ held by students
How it works:Lecturer prepares questions in advance or on the fly using the softwareLecturer displays the questions (one at a time) in classStudents key in the answers using the clickersLecturer receives the response from the students and results can be displayed in class instantly
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
CRS@NUS
Available at CIT
Loan for “one‐off lecture” or whole semester
The lecturer taking over the CRS will hold full responsibility of the equipment
http://cit.nus.edu.sg/classroom‐response‐system/
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
CRS (Advantages)
Boosts the engagement of students in class
Encourages active learning
Adds variety to the lessons
Provides instant feedback for both lecturer and students
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
CRS (Considerations)
Can I manage the lecture and the CRS at the same time?
What if things get out of control?Time management
System hang
Other unforeseen situation
Logistical issues
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
CRS (Logistical issues)
How do I hand out/collect back the clickers to/from students?
Should I collect back the clickers after every lecture, or let the students hold on to the clickers?
What if the students lose the clickers or disappear with the clickers?
How to identify the individual clicker users?
What if there are more students than clickers available?
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
My CRS Module
MA1100: Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics
Over 400 students
Only 300 clickers available
Clicker Buddy SystemEach buddy pair will share one clicker
Students will look for their own clicker buddies
Students are not allowed to change his/her buddy once it is fixed
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
My CRS Module (Assessment)
Introduce a CA component: Lecture Quiz (LQ)
Conducted using CRS during every lecture
4 to 5 MCQ questions spread across the lecture
Students work in pair with their buddy to discuss and answer the LQ questions.
Each buddy pair will submit the same answer to each LQ questions using the common clicker.
Each buddy pair will get the same mark for each LQ
Individual results can be generated using the software
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
My CRS Module (Logistic)
Get help from IT staff (and/or TA’s)Students will keep and use the same clickers throughout the semesterDistribution of clickers done outside classroomEach buddy pair goes to IT office to sign out one clicker (giving their names and contact)IT staff will record the clicker numbers against the names of students on module listStudents return clickers during lecture at the end of the semester
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
My CRS Module (Problems)
Students forget to bring the clickers to lectures
Buddy holding the clicker is absent
Clicker’s battery is flat
Clicker is not responding
Students’ answer sent is not received
System no connection
Sharing the CRS with another lecturer
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
Student Feedback
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
10) How do you like the lecture Quizzes conducted during lecture?Options Percentage
Like it very much!
OK.
Not really like it.
Hate it!
Skip
166 (45.3%)
182 (49.7%)
15 (4%)
2 (0.5%)
1 (0.2%)
Student Feedback
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
11) Are the lecture Quiz questions easy in general?Options Percentage
Quite easy in general
A good mix of easy and difficult questions
Quite difficult in general
Skip
Others
54 (14.7%)
293 (80%)
7 (1.9%)
4 (1%)
8 (2.1%)
Student Feedback
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
12) Do you prefer to use a clicker on your own or share with a buddy?Options Percentage
Have my own clicker
Share with a buddy
Either way is fine
Should allow more than 2 students to share a clickerSkip
Others
18 (4.9%)254 (69.3%)76 (20.7%)9 (2.4%)
5 (1.3%)4 (1%)
Student Feedback
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
13) Which of the point award system do you prefer for Lecture Quizzes?Options PercentageAward points according to whether the answers are right or wrong.Award points as long as students respond (whether the answers are right or wrong).Either way is fine.Should not award points at all for lecture quizzes.Skip
192 (52.4%)
54 (14.7%)
110 (30%)8 (2.1%)
2 (0.5%)
Student Feedback
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
14) Lecture Quizzes have (you may select more than one option below)Options Percentage
made me pay more attention to the lecturehelped me understand the concepts better
provided me opportunity to discuss with my friends during lecture
promoted class participation during lecturesmade the lectures more interesting
290 (75.9%)
189 (49.4%)
214 (56%)
216 (56.5%)
249 (65.1%)
Student Feedback (some written comments)
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
Having lecture quiz is a brilliant idea and encourages students to participate. The collective "oooh"s, "ahhh"s and cheers before and after each quiz demostrates that students are actively taking part in the quiz.
The lecture quiz is good as it serves as a motivation to read upon the topic before the lecture.
Lecture quiz is an excellent idea to force students to understand concepts!
I really like the lecture quiz. I think it makes lectures vivid and encourages us to participate and discuss.
Student Feedback (some written comments)
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
Lecture quizzes have put students under a little bit of pressure, but the discussion among friends over the questions have been most constructive.
sometimes lecture quiz make people feel very anxious. The objective should be to allow ppl to understand the topic better and pay more attension, however sometimes when people are anxious it may counter the original objective.
CRS VS QuestionSMS
SMS‐based audience response service
http://cit.nus.edu.sg/questionSMS/
Advantages: Solve all the logistic problems
Simple to use
Allow text messages
Disadvantages: Not as spontaneous
Cannot identify individual responses
Cannot generate reports
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
THE END
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
Managing CRS in a Large ClassBuzzEd 2011
