TOOL OR TOY
USING PERSONAL RESPONSE DEVICES IN INFORMATION LITERACY INSTRUCTION
Patrick Griffis June 5, 2008
Outline
Overview of Personal Response Systems/Clickers
Scalable Options of Clicker Systems
Benefits/Drawbacks for Using Clickers in Instruction
Experimenting with Clickers/Lessons Learned
Clicker Use Considerations
Proposed Experimentation Method
Personal Response Systems ‘Clickers’
System allowing instructors to pose questions to students which students can answer anonymously
Anonymous response feature encourages participation from students which enhances student engagement in the classroom and provides instructors immediate feedback
Personal Response Systems were developed as a tool to increase student feedback and engagement in large class settings
Hardware: Receivers
Infrared Receivers Line of sight with Clicker Devices Support only 40 Clickers Receivers not portable---have to be installed in
classrooms Outdated model
Radiofrequency Receivers Increased range---no line of sight required Supports virtually unlimited number of clickers Receivers are portable---can be used anywhere Popular model
Hardware: Student Clicker Devices
Simple Keypad True False/Multiple Choice No Text/Numeric Entry No Display Screen Supports limited range of questioning Small, easy to use with less features to play with
Feature Rich Keypad LCD Display Screen Text/Numeric Character Entry---Up to 12-15
Characters Supports wider range of questioning Larger, more complicated entry, more
distracting
Virtual Clicker
Web Based Response Keypad (VPad)
Downloadable software based clicker
No need for students to carry around clickers
Accessible via computer or laptop or PDA with internet access
Can be used along with regular clicker devices
Individual user license and site licenses available
Scalable Options: Common Model
Clicker Software + Receiver + Clicker Devices
Standard Model
Students pay cost of Clickers
Instructor responsible for receiver and software
Requires software download to instructor’s computer
Scalable Options: Software Only
Clicker Software + Virtual Response Keypads
Receiver not required and Clicker Devices not required
Local Area Network and/or Wireless Network
Student computers connect via broadcasted IP Address
Requires software download to instructor computer and Virtual Clicker download to student computers
Scalable Options: Clicker Only
Clicker Devices Only
LCD screen handheld receiver
Computer and projector not required
Answers from student keypads displayed and stored on handheld receiver and can be exported via USB to a computer
Easiest system to implement/Can be used anywhere
Tool: Clicker Benefits
Can increase student interactivity and engagement in bibliographic instruction with a ‘workshop’ feel
Can help instructor to assess what students already know coming into the session allowing instruction to be tailored to what students don’t know
Can help instructor assess what students have retained/learned in a session as well as areas that need reinforcement
Toy: Clicker Drawbacks
Learning curve for students can take time away from an instruction session which might already be hurting for time
Some instructors feel that Clickers are another of many slick gadgets/technologies that already serve to distract students in the classroom
Clickers Good---Cell Phones Bad---Mixed Message for Students
Toy: Clicker Drawbacks
Clicker use more expensive for Libraries which have the burden of purchasing Clicker Devices
More feasible for classes that meet regularly to require students to purchase clicker devices
It costs more to use Clickers for Library Instruction Sessions than for Term Courses and Library Instruction Sessions have a much smaller window of opportunity to use these devices
Nascent need to experiment for feasibility
Experimentation Issues: Trial Kit Size
Vendor ‘Trial Kits’ limited in scale
Trial Kits typically no larger than 10 Clicker Devices
Could not experiment with using Clickers in large class settings for which Clicker Systems are intended
Could not negotiate to have a site license trial of a Virtual Clicker
Trial Kits allow for familiarity with a Clicker System before purchase but does not allow for real class feasibility experimentation
Experimentation Issues: Trial Duration
Vendor Trials Limited in Time
Typically one to three month duration
Limited time for experimentation after learning curve
Only enough time to learn how to use the Clicker System leaving little time for significant feasibility experimentation
Experimentation Recommendation
Collaborate with Professors who Already Use Clickers
Simply visit their classroom and use their Clicker System Requires familiarity with their Clicker System
Students already have Clickers and know how to use them No learning curve for Students taking away instruction time
No cost ideal solution to experimentation issues Real classroom feasibility experimentation
Further Considerations
Experiment with a Personal Response System which is widely used on campus
Which system is used most on campus?
Has your campus adopted a standard system?
If your campus is in the process of adopting a campus standard, try to arrange for a representative from your library system to be on the campus working group/committee
Further Considerations
Libraries have burden to purchase a set of Clicker Devices or a Virtual Clicker Site License
Students often are required to purchase Clicker Devices for Term Classes.
Becomes a sore spot for students if they rarely use Clicker Device they had to buy
Not Feasible to expect students to bring their own Clicker Devices to an Instruction Session
Proposed Experimentation Method Determine the Clicker System used most
often on campus
Request a Trail Kit of that Clicker System and familiarize yourself with it
Collaborate with a Faculty Member that already uses the same Clicker System to experiment with incorporating Clickers in Instruction Sessions
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