• E-Learning
• Blackboard's Discussion Board
• Blackboard's Quizzes
• Blackboard's Virtual Classroom
• Blackboard's Safe Assign
• Using Blogs
• Using Wikis
• Using Podcasts
• Using Facebook
• Using Clickers
• Using Flip Cameras
• UCD NDLR

Using Clickers

What is a Clicker?

Clickers, also referred to as Audience or Personal Response Systems (ARS/PRS), are small handheld units the size of a mobile phone that students can use to respond to questions posed by the lecturer.  Questions are usually multiple choice in format and students respond by selecting the appropriate option on their clicker. The participation rate and the breakdown of student responses is instantly available in a graph via PowerPoint.

What does it do?

It offers a means for students to participate in class; to offer their opinion, answer questions, gage understanding and acquire feedback.  Utilising a PowerPoint or Keynote presentation it offers the academic a way to engage with the learners in a small or large group setting.  Many academics are utilising clickers to enable active learning to become a key component of their teaching. Students are invited to become integral to the learning process by contributing to the way a session may develop.

Where do I get access and or /support?

ITServices have a number of clickers available to use.  Visit http://www.ucd.ie/itservices/teachinglearningit/quizdom/ for further information regarding available tools and supported services.

You may also wish to acquire a personal response system suite for your own school or college, or download and preview relevant software visit: http://www.qwizdom.co.uk

How do I use it in my teaching?

Clickers are most commonly used to engage students and maintain interest in larger classes.  Students answer questions via the clickers and then discuss the potential options or concepts that may apply.

They may be used for icebreaker activities, to pose questions throughout class, stimulate discussion, summarise material, and also to gain instant student feedback on teaching.

For the most effective introduction of clickers into the teaching process, classes are redesigned so that clicker-orientated tasks, activities, or discussions are used to introduce key concepts or clarify commonly misunderstood points.

Click here to read about the use of clickers in UCD in a large stage 1 Macroeconomics class