Article review # 6

Caldwell, J.E. (Spring 2007)  Clickers in the large Classroom: Current Research and Best-Practice Tips  Retrieved from http://archive.alt.ac.uk/newsletter.alt.ac.uk/www.lifescied.org/cgi/reprint/6/1/9.pdf

Summary

Caldwell discusses the use of using a clicker system in the classroom.  She describes in detail what the clicker system is and how it is used in the classroom.  The clicker system gives each student a device in which they can answer multiple choice questions throughout the class period.  It gives a break from the monotony of a class lecture and provides the opportunity to review the material that has been covered that class.  This provides numerous benefits to the instructor and to the student.  It gives the teacher the opportunity to see what material may need to be retaught, and also gives the student the opportunity to see what they need to study more. 

            There are many other benefits that can be seen by using the clicker system.  It provides the opportunity for all students to be involved in the class activities.  There is no longer the need for a student to feel self conscious about the possibility of answering a question wrong in front of the class.  With this system, each student would answer every question.  Results can be displayed, but only the student and teacher would know who was responsible for each device. 

Student accountability also becomes a factor while using the clicker system.  Caldwell found that when clickers were used, students focused more in the classroom.  She found that when the clickers were used, not only did student attendance increase, but grades improved as well.  Both increases came with the stipulation that the questions asked and answered were recorded for a grade.  Without this factor, it was believed that there would not be a significant increase in attendance or grades.  The grade must be enough to make the students feel that it was important enough to participate.  Professors found that if the grade was less than 5% of the total grade, there was no significant increase.

Caldwell also found that the use of clickers had an impact on student understanding and retention.  Studies showed that the use of clickers along with analyzing the correct answers, improved student understanding and retention.  The results were that student scores were constantly increasing.  They also showed that the retention rate of past material remained at a relatively high percentage.

Reflection

I found the results of this study to be fascinating.  I have had problems in the past with student participation.  I have usually had the same students participate in class and answer the same questions.  I know that they answer because they feel most secure with their answers and aren’t afraid to be wrong.  If I were to implement the clicker system, all students in the classroom would have the opportunity to answer the questions that were being asked.  I would be able to check the understanding of all students by their answers, and not simply relying on informal assessments to evaluate the lesson.  I also found it interesting that questions asked in class were taken for a grade.  It only makes sense that students would pay more attention in class if they knew that they were being graded on the clicker questions.  Personally, I feel that the students would put in a greater effort and pay more attention if they knew that they were being graded daily.  Unfortunately, the school district that I work in, does not believe in taking these assessments for a grade.