i>clicker
Perhaps the toughest part of teaching is getting students actively engaged in class, particularly in large classroom settings. One solution comes through the use of student response 
systems"clickers," small handheld units that students use to respond to questions in class (see the i>clicker brand device to the right). The teacher plugs a receiver into a classroom computer and uses the accompanying software to record student answers while asking questions in class, often in conjunction with PowerPoint slides. With a little practice, the process can become fairly seamless during the lecture, students get engaged by answering questions, and the teacher ends up with valuable data about student understanding. View some examples of how clickers can be used in teaching.
Ball State University has adopted i>clicker2 as our officially supported student response system. That means faculty members using this technology are encouraged to use i>clickers, but you are still free to use other systems if they better meet your needs. Standardizing on one system allows us to streamline faculty and student support, and it reduces the chance that students have to buy three different clickers for use in different classes.
i>clicker2
Ball State University transitioned to i>clicker2 during academic year 2011-2012. i>clicker2 offers the same functionality of the original i>clicker, but it also includes additional elements:
- An LCD screen that shows the remote ID, vote confirmation, and frequency.
- Uses only 2 AAA batteries and features a battery life indicator on the LCD screen for a more accurate battery status.
- The ability to submit alphanumeric entry questions, ranking/order questions, and questions with more than one correct answer.
As faculty members continue the transition to i>clicker2, there are a few things to consider:
- i>clicker and i>clicker2 will work together in the same classroom--as long as you are asking only multiple choice questions.
- i>clicker2 base station and remotes will be required if you wish to ask alphanumeric questions.
Getting Support for Clickers
Faculty support for i>clickers is provided through the Office of Educational Excellence. Here is what we can do for you:
- Workshops on the use of student response systems--introduction to teaching with clickers, writing effective clicker questions, and semester start-up and roster loading. See the OEE Workshops page for a schedule.
- Personal consultations with an experienced clicker-using faculty member, on both instructional and technical issues.
- Loaner kits to let you try out i>clickers before you fully adopt them (limited availability).
- Consultations on how you can develop a research project to study the impact clickers are having on your students' learning.
- Clicker Resources page—filled with support documents and videos, scholarly articles, and useful websites.
- Clicker FAQ page—frequently asked questions about clicker use at Ball State.
Upcoming Clicker Events
Introduction to i>clicker2
Wednesday, April 17th 9-9:50 am, TC 412
Thursday, April 18th 3-3:50 pm, TC 412 [repeat of Wednesday session]
Facilitator: Angela Nickoli (Criminal Justice & Criminology), i>clicker Support Faculty Fellow
i>clicker2 is a small handheld unit that a student uses to respond to questions in class. This student response system supports instructional goals through a variety of uses including real-time assessment of understanding, paired or group answering, quizzes and self-tests, and anonymous polling. As a result, students are actively engaged in class and instructors receive valuable data about student understanding.
This session will introduce participants to i>clicker2, the student response system officially supported by Ball State. Topics to be presented will include the basics of the system and how it supports active student engagement in class.
Register for Introduction to i>clicker2 by contacting the Office of Educational Excellence at 5-1763 or oee@bsu.edu.
Visit the i>clicker web page for additional information about the product.
Jumpstarting Your Semester: Setting Up i>clicker and Student Outreach
TBA
Facilitator: Angela Nickoli (Criminal Justice and Criminology)
This hands-on workshop is designed for faculty members who have adopted i>clicker for the spring semester. Facilitators will help you set up the i>clicker software for your spring courses, as well as explain the process for getting your student to register their clickers.
Synching Your Roster with i>Grader
Now available through mediasite
Facilitator: Angela Nickoli (Criminal Justice & Criminology)
This hands-on workshop is designed for faculty members who have adopted i>clicker for the fall semester. Once the Change-of-Course period ends for students, you need to synch your class and i>clicker rosters. The workshop facilitator will guide you through that process – for both Blackboard and Web Gradebook users.
Introduction to Student Response Systems (i>clicker)
TBA
Facilitator: Angela Nickoli (Criminal Justice and Criminology)
This workshop will introduce you to the basics of student response systems (aka “clickers”), with a focus on how this technology can be used to increase student interaction in your classes. In addition, participants will explore how to write effective questions for student response systems, and how to successfully integrate those questions into class lectures.
4th Annual i>clicker Boot Camp
May 7-9, 2013
9 am – 12 noon, TC 414
Facilitator: Angela Nickoli (Criminal Justice and Criminology)
Join us for a three-day, intensive workshop geared towards preparing you for the fall term. In addition to exploring your current pedagogical techniques, this "boot camp" will help you explore other ways to expand your teaching tool box and increase student interaction and retention in your courses.
Topics will include:
- Developing questions for small and large classes
- Re-tooling lectures for the first few weeks of classes
- Increasing communication and dialogue in your courses
- Developing techniques for a smooth first week
- Modifying your syllabus
If you are new to i>clicker and need to request an instructor kit (base station and software), please indicate that in the comment box when you register for the workshop. [Register]
Momentum Conference 2013
October 3-4, 2013
Denver Marriott City Center
Denver CO
Other Clicker Pages: