“Clicker” Audience Response Systems

If you’re an instructor thinking about using an Audience Response System—or “clicker”—in your classroom, this page will help you decide how to proceed. The following information is based on recommendations by the Clicker Technology Committee and contributors who met during the Spring 2007 semester to define the problems and explain the situation to the University community.

What is a clicker?

A clicker is a wireless, hand-held device used to poll an audience during a presentation or lecture. In a class setting, for example, instructors can either prepare questions ahead of time using Microsoft PowerPoint, or compose questions “on the fly” to assess how well students have retained content during the current or prior session, measure the level of participation, or gauge students’ opinions—all in real time. When prompted, students enter a selection on their clicker keypad, and the signal is transmitted to the instructor’s receiver that logs the responses. Instructors can then display the summary of responses to the class, and determine what content may need to be revisited.

For general information about clickers, please visit “7 Things You Should Know About Clickers” from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative.

What’s happening in Fairbanks?

On the Fairbanks campus, Chemistry, History, and Biology faculty members are using one type of clicker manufactured by Turning Technologies called TurningPoint , a radio frequency response system. One TurningPoint clicker can be used for multiple classes over multiple semesters, so students do not need to buy more than one clicker.

The Applied Business Program at TVC has purchased a collection of Quizdom brand clickers, and provides these to students in their classes.

Presently, TurningPoint clickers are available at the UAF Bookstore. The UAF Bookstore also

• plans to carry batteries for TurningPoint clickers,
• can help students deal with TurningPoint if the clicker has a warranty issue when the device is purchased from them,
• is developing a program to buy back used TurningPoint clickers from students if they are in good working order, and
• plans to sell tested used TurningPoint clickers at a used price.

If you are considering clickers for your semester book order, the Clicker Committee discourages bundling of clickers with textbooks. Although publishers may suggest a bundled option, it is less expensive and less confusing to students if clickers are not bound with a text.

Recommended

• For faculty members and department who are considering TurningPoint clickers, the Committee recommends that you contact Turning Technologies to get a USB receiver (about $100) and the TurningPoint plug-in software. The software integrates with Microsoft PowerPoint, and can be downloaded from Turning Technologies’ website. The receiver comes with a one-time, permanent license for 1000 students.

• The Committee also recommends that faculty requiring a TurningPoint clicker include a statement in their course announcements and the “Required Materials” sections of the syllabus. For example, “a TurningPoint clicker is required for this course. New or used clickers may be obtained at the UAF Bookstore or online. Graded clicking begins Wednesday, Sept 12. Please be ready!” or similar language.