Faculty and Students Find Success When Clicking
March 2007
Have you had the opportunity to participate in a “clicker-class” yet?
The Student Response System (SRS), also referred to as clickers, is an integrated hardware and software system that allows instructors to pose questions and gather students' responses during a lecture. Gaining popularity at Northwestern since testing began two years ago, the system often takes the "clicker" name because of the remote control device used to answer posed questions.
“The students learn more, even recognize their difficulties, when engaged with this system,” said Martina Bode, Mathematics senior lecturer. Bode is also an SRS pilot team member and evaluator.
Use of the system by faculty such as Bode has steadily increased since the initial launch last fall quarter.
“Students overwhelmingly enjoy using this system,” said Mary Schuller, managing coordinator of the SRS.
The system allows students to have fun and improve learning in a lecture setting. Bode recently polled participating students about use of the clickers, and ninety percent said the system increases instructor awareness of difficulties. In addition, seventy-six percent of students said the SRS helps them understand what is expected in class, and eighty percent said that discussing SRS questions helps them better understand subject matter.
Clickers can also be used for fun in the classroom — Bode suggests using the devices as icebreakers in large groups, creating teams to debate questions and eventually agree on an answer to select.
